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ID
ER 613
The law issued by king Chindaswinth (ca 642-653) forbids divorces, but allows separation if spouses want to enter a religious order; the will of both of them must be ascertained by a priest. The codification known as the Lex Visigothorum (issued and revised several times between 569 and 702).
III.6.2
 
II. FLAVIUS CHINDASVINDUS REX.
 
Ne inter coniuges divortium fiat.
 
[...] Certe si conversionis ad Deum volumtas extiterit, communem adsensum viri scilicet et mulieris sacerdos evidenter agnoscat, ut nullam postmodum cuilibet eorum ad coniugalem aliam copulam revertendi excusatio intercedat. [...]
 
(ed. K. Zeumer 1905: 167)
III.6.2
 
II. FLAVIUS CHINDASVINTH THE KING.  
 
There shall be no divorce between married persons.
 
[...] If, however, they resolve to convert to God, the priest shall make sure that this is clearly a mutual decision of husband and wife, so that, afterwards, neither will be able to offer any excuse for getting married again. [...]
 
(trans. M. Szada)

Discussion:

Chindasvinth was a Visgothic king from 642 to 653. The law was included in the codification both in Reccesvinth's and in Ervig's revision.
 

Place of event:

Region
  • Iberian Peninsula
  • Gaul

About the source:

Title: Lex Visigothorum, Liber iudiciorum, Liber iudiciorum sive Lex Visigothorum
Origin: Iberian Peninsula
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian
Lex Visigothorum is a codification of law first composed during the reign of King Leovigild (569-586) on the basis of the Code of Euric, but the origin of all extant manuscripts is its revised version from the reign of King Recceswinth (649-672). The codification was also enlarged in the times of King Ervig (680-687) and Ecgica (687-702).
Edition:
K. Zeumer ed., Liber iudiciorum sive lex Visigothorum, Monumenta Germaniae Historica. Leges nationum Germanicarum 1, Hannover, Leipzig 1902, 33-456.
 
Translation:
The Visigothic Code (Forum Judicum), trans. S.P. Scott, Boston 1910
Bibliography:

Categories:

Described by a title - Sacerdos/ἱερεύς
    Private law - Secular
      Relation with - Woman
        Legal practice
          Equal prerogatives of presbyters and bishops
            Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER613, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=613
            Record by: Marta Szada
            last edited: 2018-11-21 13:13:13
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