This treaty
between
Charles the
Great or
Charlemagne
(†814) and
Offa, the
greatest of
the Mercian
kings (†796),
is of interest
as showing
the character
of the inter-
course
between Eng-
land and the
Continent.
Compare
No. 12.
“Charles, by the grace of God king of the Franks and Lombards, and patrician of the Romans, to his esteemed and dearest brother Offa king of the Mercians, sendeth health:
First, we give thanks to God Almighty for the purity of the Catholic faith, which we find laudably expressed in your letters. Concerning pilgrims, who for the love of God or the salvation of their souls, wish to visit the residence of the holy apostles, let them go peaceably without any molestation; but if persons, not seeking the cause of religion, but that of gain, be found amongst them, let them pay the customary tolls in proper places. We will, too, that traders have due protection within our kingdom, according to our mandate, and if in any place they suffer wrongful oppression, 17 let them appeal to us or to our judges, and we will see full justice done. . . .”
William of Malmesbury, Chronicle (translated by J. A. Giles, London, 1847), 85.