Codes
Lex Salica (Salic Law)
Also Known As Salic Law, Salian Law
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Lex Salica, the law code of the Salian Franks, was compiled around 500 CE at the order of Clovis I, the first king to unite the Franks, and published between 507 and 511. Written in Late Latin, it governed both civil matters such as inheritance and property and criminal compensation, or wergild, for injury and theft. Its most historically consequential provision barred women from inheriting land, a rule later stretched by medieval jurists into the doctrine that excluded women from succeeding to the French throne.
Of Salic land no portion of the inheritance shall come to a woman: but the whole inheritance of the land shall come to the male sex, as recorded in the code's inheritance title.
Facts
Eracompiled c. 500 CE, published 507 to 511 CE 1 Promulgated ByCommissioned by Clovis I, first king of the Franks, drafted by four appointed commissioners 1 Sources
1. Salic Law (Wikipedia)
WikipediaHistorical Development sectionQuote, Historical Development section
Clovis appointed four commissioners to research customary law that, until the publication of the Salic law, had been recorded only in the minds of designated elders.
1. Salic Law (Wikipedia)
Wikipediasection on female inheritanceQuote, section on female inheritance
Of Salic land no portion of the inheritance shall come to a woman: but the whole inheritance of the land shall come to the male sex.
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