Letter 34

From: The Austrasian Court To: [Church official] Date: ~574 AD Context: Austrasian letter 34; royal instructions on ecclesiastical matters following a change in royal administration, reassuring the church of continued royal support. To our beloved bishops and abbots throughout the kingdom of Austrasia, We write to assure you that the commitments made by our predecessors to the church in this kingdom remain in full force. The change in our royal house does not alter the grants, the privileges, or the protections that previous kings have extended to you. We are aware that periods of transition create uncertainty, and that uncertainty can be exploited by those who wish to challenge the rights of the church. We want to forestall any such challenges by making our position clear from the outset: the church's established rights are under our protection, and those who attempt to violate them will answer to us. We also want to extend to you the invitation that we extend to all those we govern: if you have grievances, bring them to us. If you have questions about how the new administration will handle matters that were handled one way in the previous reign, ask us. We prefer direct communication to the rumors and misunderstandings that fill the void when communication is absent. We look forward to a fruitful relationship with the church of Austrasia in service of God and of this kingdom. By order of the king