On those who after death of a king foretell that themselves or other people will obtain the reign and on persons to whom it is prohibited to become kings

 

Although at the previous council that was held in the first year of the reign of our most glorious king a decree on this topic was issued, it pleases us to repeat what shall be observed. During the life of the king no layman, whatever his dignity, [and] no one ordained to the grade of bishop, presbyter or deacon, or to any other clerical office, must fortell with whatever art or deliberation who will be the next king against the interests and, without doubt, against the will of the living king. No one must attract others to himself with blandishments and persuasion because of such expectations nor adhere to another for this reason. Because it shall be considered wicked and most detestable by Christians to forsee illicit things about the future and not knowing his own life arrange what is going to happen. If someone has already thought upon such wicked things with whomever, he shall know that it is allowed by the priestly moderation that he may be pardoned if he confesses that without delay to the ears of the king. If, however, resolved in his purpose, he does not want to reveal his machinations, he shall be punished with the worst anathema. And after the death of a king no one must seize the kingdom by tyrannical audacity. Also, no one who has been tonsured to lead the monastic life or has been unsightly decalvated or is of servile or foreign origin can succeed to the royal crown. Only a Goth and a man of good morals can become a king. Every violator of these most saintly precepts will be struck with perpetual anathema.

 

(trans. M. Szada)