Seventh Council of Toledo
Encyclopedia
The Seventh Council of Toledo commenced on 18 November 646 and was attended by forty one bishops either personally or by delegation. It was the first of Chindasuinth
's two councils.
The law against treason
was strengthened with the addition of a penalty of excommunication
on offenders. This was partially in response to the will of the king, who had recently taking vigorous actions against supposed traitors. The mass executions were upheld as just by the council. The punishments for treason were extended to clergy without distinction.
It was also determined that if any clergyman, regardless of rank, travelled to a foreign land to support activities contra the king or the Visigoth
ic nobility or to assist a layman in doing the same was to be disgraced and made a permanent penitent, receiving communion
only on his deathbed.
Chindasuinth
Chindasuinth was Visigothic King of Spain, from 642 until his death. He succeeded Tulga, from whom he usurped the throne in a coup; he was "officially" elected by the nobles and anointed by the bishops 30 April 642....
's two councils.
The law against treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
was strengthened with the addition of a penalty of excommunication
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
on offenders. This was partially in response to the will of the king, who had recently taking vigorous actions against supposed traitors. The mass executions were upheld as just by the council. The punishments for treason were extended to clergy without distinction.
It was also determined that if any clergyman, regardless of rank, travelled to a foreign land to support activities contra the king or the Visigoth
Visigoth
The Visigoths were one of two main branches of the Goths, the Ostrogoths being the other. These tribes were among the Germans who spread through the late Roman Empire during the Migration Period...
ic nobility or to assist a layman in doing the same was to be disgraced and made a permanent penitent, receiving communion
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
only on his deathbed.
Sources
- Thompson, E. A. (1969) The Goths in Spain. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
- Synodus Toletana septima, minutes from the Collectio Hispana Gallica Augustodunensis (Vat. lat. 1341)