Lex Alamannorum

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The terms Lex Alamannorum and Pactus Alamannorum refer to two early medieval law codes of the Alamanni. They were first edited in parts in 1530 by Johannes Sichard in Basel.

1 Pactus Alamannorum
- 1.1 Excerpts
2 Lex Alamannorum
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Pactus Alamannorum

The Pactus Alamannorum contains the oldest layer of the code, dating to the early 7th century, preserved in a single manuscript fragment dating to ca. AD 900. It contains a catalogue of fines with the purpose of replacing Alamannic traditions of feud and vengeance. Mutilation of fingers is fined with between 3 and 12 solidi. A graverobber must return the stolen goods and pay a fine of 80 solidi.

[edit] Excerpts

Some examples from the catalogue of fines (Pactus Alamannorum, nrs. 16-23):

Si quis digitum police alteri truncaverit, solvat solidos 12. (if a man cuts off another man's thumb, he should pay 12 solidi)
Si mancat aut in primo noto truncatus fuerit, solvat solidos 6. (if it is [only] paralysed or cut off at the first segment, he should pay 6 solidi)
Si secundum digito truncatus fuerit, solidos 10 solvat. Si mancat, solvat solidos 5. (if the second finger is cut off, he should pay 10 solidi, if it is paralysed, he should pay 5 solidi)
Si prima iunctura truncata fuerit, solvat solidos 3. (if it is cut at the first segment, he should pay 3 solidi)
Si tercius digitus truncatus fuerit, solvat solidos 3. Si mancat, solvat solidos 3. (if the third finger is cut off, he should pay 3 solidi, if it is paralysed, he should pay 3 solidi)
Si quartus digitus truncatus fuerit, solvat solidos 5. (if the fourth finger is cut off, he should pay 5 solidi.)
Si in primo noto truncatus fuerit, solvat solidos 3. (if it is cut at the first segment, he should pay 3 solidi)
Si minimus digitus truncatus fuerit, solvat solidos 10. Si mancaverit, solvat solidos 5. (if the little finger is cut off, he should pay 10 solidi. if it should be paralysed, he should pay 5 solidi)

[edit] Lex Alamannorum

The Lex Alamannorum is preserved in some 50 manuscripts dating to between the 8th and 12th centuries. The text's first redaction is ascribed to the Alamannic duke Lantfrid in ca. 730. It is divided into clerical law, ducal law and popular law.

Chapter 3.1 treats church asylum: no fugitive seeking refuge in a church should be removed by force, or be killed within the church. Instead, the pursuers should assure the priest that the fugitive's guilt is forgiven. In 3.3, penalties for the violation of the asylum are set at 36 solidi to be paid to the church and an additional 40 solidi to be paid to the authorities for violation of the law.

Chapter 56.1 regulates penaties for violence towards women. If someone uncovers the head of a free, unmarried woman, he is fined with 6 solidi. If he lifts her dress so that her genitals or her buttocks become visible, he is fined with 12 solidi. If he rapes her, he is fined with 40 solidi. 56.2 doubles these penalties if the victim is a married woman.