XXVII. GLORIOUS KING FLAVIUS ERVIG.

 

Concerning the mercy to be shown by rulers towards those who have been truly converted to the Christian faith.

 

The foregoing laws having been framed by us with care and diligence, and having attempted in them to adapt the punishment to the guilt of the offender, as, for instance, where we have sentenced certain of them to lose their property, and be driven into exile, we now hereby reserve the following privileges of mercy for ourselves, and our successors, to wit; that if any Jew, after having been ensnared by the devil, should come to his senses, and profess belief in the Holy Trinity; and the priests or judges of the diocese or district in which he lives, should establish the fact by their testimony; and the deeds of said Jew should correspond with his professions; in such cases the prerogative of mercy may be exercised by ourselves, and our successors; that is to say, after the confession and oath of said Jew has been made, and the evidence has been submitted to the king, the latter shall have authority to return his property to said Jew, and to recall him from exile. If, however, any such Jew, after having professed himself to be a Christian, should return to the vomit of his error, he shall be condemned to punishment, without any hope of pardon; and said punishment shall be proportionate to the proof of his hypocrisy, and the degree of his guilt, and whether he undergoes a capital penalty, or one of less severity, no mercy shall, under any circumstances, be shown him.

 

(trans. P.S.Scott 1910: 408; slightly altered)