Charlemagne’s Letter to Offa of Mercia

Charles, by the grace of God, king of the Franks and Lombards and the patrician Rome, to his dearest brother, Offa, king of the Mercians, sends greeting of health and blessedness in Christ.

Between royal dignities and exalted personages of the world, the keeping of the laws of friendship joined in the unity of peace, and of the unity of holy love, with the deepest affection of heart, is customary to be of profit to many. And if we are commanded by our Lord’s precept to untie the knots of discord, how much more we should take care to secure the links of love? Therefore, most beloved brother, mindful of the ancient pact between us, we have sent these letters to your reverence, that the treaty established in the root of faith may grow in the fruit of love. Having read your letters, which have at diverse times been brought to us by the hands of your messengers, and striving to reply adequately to the several suggestions of your authority, we first give thanks to the Almighty God for the sincerity of the catholic faith which we found admirably set down in your pages; recognizing you to be not only a most strong protector of your earthly kingdom, but also a most devout defender of the faith.

Concerning pilgrims, who for the love of God or for the salvation of their souls wish to visit the residence of the holy apostles, let them go peaceably without any harassment, bearing with them the necessities for their journey. But we have discovered that certain persons deceitfuly mingle with them for the sake of business, seeking gain, not serving religion. If such persons are found among them, they are to pay the established toll at the proper places; the others may go in peace, immune from toll.

You have written to us also about merchants, and by our laws we allow that they shall have protection and support in our kingdom, lawfully, according to the ancient custom of trading. And if in any place they are afflicted by wrongful abuse, they may appeal to us or to our judges, and we will then order true justice to be done. Similarly our men, if they suffer any injustice in your dominion, are to appeal to the judgement of your equity, unless any disturbance should arise anywhere between our men.

Regarding the priest Odberht, who wishes on his return from Rome to live abroad for the love of God, as he often says, and did not come to accuse you, I inform you, dear brother, that we have sent him to Rome with the other exiles who, in fear of death, have taken refuge under our protection; so that in the presence of the apostolic lord and your archbishop – since, as your letters have informed us, they had bound themselves by a vow – their cause may be heard and judged, that equitable judgement may be effective where pious prayers failed. What could be safer for us than that the opinion of the apostolic authority should determine a case in which the views of others disagree?

As for the black stones which your holiness begged to be sent to you, let a messenger come and consider what kind you have in mind, and we will willingly order them to be given, wherever they are to be found, and will help with their transport. But as you have expressed your wishes concerning the length of the stones, so our people make a demand about the size of the cloaks, that you might order them to be such as used to come to us in former times.

Additionally, we make known to your love that we have sent a gift from our dalmatics and palls to the various episcopal sees of your kingdom and of Ethelred’s, in alms for the apostolic lord, Hadrian, our father and your friend; urging you to order diligent prayers for his soul, not having any doubt that his blessed soul is at rest, but to show our trust and love towards a friend most dear to us. So, also, the blessed Augustine has taught, that intercessions of ecclesiastical piety ought to be made for all; stating that to intercede for a good man benefits him who does it. Also from the treasure of earthly riches, which the Lord Jesus Christ has granted us with freely given kindness, we have sent something to each of the metropolitan cities; and for yourself a belt, a Hungarian sword, and two silk cloaks.

To the end that everywhere among Christian people the divine mercy may be preached and the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified forever, we pray that you cause diligent intercessions to be made for us and for our faithful subjects, even more, for all Christian people; that the most merciful goodness of the heavenly King may consent to protect, exalt and extend the kingdom of the Holy Church. May Almighty God deem worthy to preserve in enduring prosperity the excellence of your greatness unimpaired for the protection of his Holy Church, most enviable brother.