People of Medieval Scotland
1093 - 1371

Document 2/137/13 (Robertson, Concilia Scotiae, ii, 236-7)

Description
Pope Innocent III writes to the illustrious king of Scotland concerning his request for advice as to what ought to be done with those who, having committed offences, flee to churches in order that they may escape penalty. The pope replies to his questions and decided that in such cases a distinction must be made according to whether the person is a free man or a serf. If he is a free man, he must not be dragged out of the church, however great be the crimes he may have committed, nor must he be condemned to death or corporal punishment. The rectors should obtain security for his life and limbs. He is otherwise to be punished lawfully for the offence he has committed. This holds good unless he is a public thief or nocturnal plunderer of fields, who, as long as he haunts the roads and besieges the public roads by insidious attacks, may be dragged out of the church, without impunity. If, though, he is a serf, who has fled to a church, after his master takes an oath to the clerics that he will not punish him, he is to be compelled to return to the service of his master.
Firm date
1200
Dating Notes
Given in Robertson as 1200
Source for Data Entry
Robertson, Concilia Scotiae, ii, App. 3, pg. 236-7
Trad. ID
Robertson, Concilia Scotiae, ii, 236-7
Calendar number
2/137/13
Charter type
Papal letter
Language
Latin

Total number of associated factoids: 3

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Date Short Summary Primary Witnesses
1200 Correspondence concerning those who commit offences and flee to churches to escape penalty yes


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Date Short Summary Title Holder
1200 pope Innocent III, pope (d.1216)
1200 king of Scots William I, king of Scots (d.1214)