Letter 22

From: The Austrasian Court To: [Diplomatic correspondent] Date: ~558 AD Context: Austrasian letter 22; diplomatic correspondence addressing relations with the Eastern Roman Empire during the period of Frankish consolidation after Theudebert's reign. To our honored friend and correspondent in the service of the Roman Emperor, The condition of our alliance remains as strong as it has been through the reigns of kings before this one. We wish to assure you that the changes in our royal house have not altered the fundamental commitments that bind Austrasia to the Empire. On the specific questions you raised regarding the merchants from the eastern Mediterranean who conduct business in our Rhine valley cities: we are investigating the complaints that reached us and we expect to have a resolution to communicate within the next two months. It is our intention that merchants operating under imperial protection receive fair treatment in our markets. We also wish to inquire about the situation in Italy, which we have been following with concern. The latest reports reaching us suggest that the military situation there remains fluid. We continue to have interests in the stability of that region and ask to be kept informed of significant developments. From the court of Austrasia, with the greetings due to a valued ally