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The Council of Lestines.
AN. 743. the same Carloman assembled a Council at Lestines, near Cambray, the Canons where∣of do immediately follow the last mention'd, in the Book of the Capitularies. They go al∣so * 1.1 under Carloman's name, declaring, That in the Assembly then held at Lestines, the Bishops, Nobles and Governors of Provinces have confirm'd the foregoing Decrees of the Assembly, promising to observe them, to receive the Canons of the Fathers, and to re-establish the Church-discipline and Doctrine in its Splendor. That the Abbots and Monks have received S. Benedict's Rule, and pro∣mised to keep it. That they have degraded and put to Penance such Priests as are guilty of Adultery or Fornication, and ordained, That the Decree made against them shall be executed.
In the 2d he ordains, by the advice of his Clergy and People, That the Laity shall enjoy the Church-lands, which they hold as Tenants at will, upon condition that they shall pay a Penny for every House, and when he that enjoys them, comes to die, they shall return to the Church; yet so, that if it be needful still for the good of the State, or if the Prince orders it so, they shall renew their Leases; provided, nevertheless, that the Churches or Monasteries, whose Lands are held by such a Title, are not extream poor.
In the 3d Canon, Adulteries, Incests and illegitimate Marriages are prohibited. Bishops are ordered to hinder and punish them. It forbids also delivering Christian Slaves to Pagans.
In the 4th, Carloman renews his Fathers Decree against them that observe Pagan Superstitions, condemning them to a 15 Pence Fine.
These Canons in an ancient Collection are joined with an abjuration in the Tudesk Tongue, a List of the most ordinary Superstitions, and an Instruction about prohibited Marriages, and about the prohibition of keeping the Sabbath-day. This hath so much relation to the Canons of this Council, that it may be rationally believed to have been part of it.