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The COUNCIL of VERBERIE.
THIS Council, or Assembly rather, was held in the beginning of Pepin's Reign An. 752. at Verberie in the Diocess of Soissons: They made 20 Chapters which were pub∣lished * 1.1 by the Authority of Pepin.
The First Ordains that those that Marry in the third Degree of consanguinity shall be put asunder, and that after having done Pennance they may Marry others. That those in the fourth degree only shall not be seperated, But only be put to Pennance if they be Married; or otherwise not suffered to Marry.
The 2d declares, that if any Man had any commerce with his Daughter-in-Law, he shall dwell no longer, neither with the Mother nor with the Daughter, and neither the Daughter nor he shall Marry others, but the Mother may Marry another.
The 3d imports, that if a Presbyter Marry his Niece, he shall be obliged to leave her, and loose his degree; and if any body else Marry her, he shall be oblig'd to leave her, but shall have Liberty to Marry an other.
The 4th that a Maid, in what manner soever she hath taken the Veil, shall be obliged to keep it, unless it was given her against her Will; and in that case, the Priest; that Veil'd her, shall be deposed. If a Woman takes the Veil without her Husbands consent, it shall be free for her Husband, to let her keep it, or to hinder her.
The 5th gives leave to the Husband, whose Wife conspired his death, to send her away, and to Marry another.
The 6th gives leave to those who have Married Slaves, whom they thought to be Free-born Women, to Marry others.
The 7th permits Slaves, who have a Concubine, to leave her, to Marry his Master's Maid-servant, thô they do better, if they keep the first.
The 8th permits the Master to oblige his Slave to Marry his Maid-servant, if he hath had any Carnal knowledge of her.
The 9th imports, that if men be forced to go away from the place of their Habitation, and their Wives refuse to follow them without any other Reason, but their Love to their own Country, it shall be free for those Men, whose Wives have thus left them, to Marry others; but not for the Wives to Marry again.
The 10th forbids him to Marry, who hath layn with his Mother-in-Law, and the Mother-in-Law likewise; and permits the Father-in-Law to Marry another Woman,
The 11th. inflicts the same punishment upon them who defile their Daughter-in-Law, or Si∣ster-in-Law.
The 12th Ordains, that he that lies with two Sisters, shall have neither, thô the one of them were his Wife.
By the 13th He that marrieth a Bond Woman, knowing her to be such, is bound to keep her.
The 14th forbids ambulatory Bishops to Ordain any Priests; and if any be found to have been thus Ordain'd, and they deserve it, they shall be Consecrated anew.
The 15th That a Priest degraded may Baptize in case of necessity.
The 16th forbids Clerks to bear Arms.
The 17th Permits a Woman, which complains that her Husband never did Cohabit with her, to try the Proof of the Cross; and if it appears by this Tryal, that the thing is so, then she may do what she pleaseth.
The 19th Ordains, that Bond Slaves be exhorted not to Marry again, if they be found to be sold severally.
The 20th imports that the Slave who is set at Liberty, may put away his Wife, being a Bond Woman, and marry another.
The 21st forbids him, who suffered his Wife to be defiled, to marry another.
Regino recites some Articles more about the said matters, which he ascribes to this Council of Verberie. They may be seen in the Edition of the Capitularies of M. Baluz. 19. 166. Vol. 1.