f the _Nobility
in Convention_, they labour'd by all Means to have the _Great Council_
held within the Limits of _France_. But _Lewis_ knowing for certain that
those _Franks_ were gained by his Enemies against him, refused it, and
summon'd the Convention to meet at _Mentz_, and ordered that none should
be admitted _Armed_ to the Council. But his Sons, (who had conspired
against their Father) lest they should want the _Authority_ of a
_Publick Convention_, assembled a Council at _Compiegne_, consisting of
the Bishops and Nobility of the Kingdom. And _Lotharius_ taking his
Father out of Custody, brought him to _Compiegne_."

Again, _Aimoinus_, lib. 5. cap. 38. where he speaks of Lewis _the
Stammerer_, who held a _Council_ at _Marsua_, wherein he treated a Peace
with his Cousin, says: "In that _Placitum_, or _Parliament_, these
Articles which follow were agreed upon between them, _by and with the
Consent of the faithful Subjects of the Realm_."

To proceed, We find further, that it was the Custom (when any _Prince_,
or _Person_ of _Extraordinary Quality_, was _accused of any Crime_) to
summon him to appear before the _Great Council_, and there he was to
stand his _Trial_. Thus in the Reign of King _Clotharius_, when _Queen
Brunechild_ stood accused, and was found guilty of many capital Crimes,
the King made a Speech to the Estates of the _Great Council of
Francogallia_, in these Words; which are recorded by _Aimoinus_, lib. 4.
cap 1. "It belongs to you, my most dear Fellow-Soldiers, and high
Nobility of _France_, to appoint what Kind of Punishment ought to be
inflicted on a Person guilty of such enormous Crimes, &c." And _Ado AEtat
6. sub Anno_ 583. tells us, "The _Franks_ passing Sentence
upon her in the King's Presence, condemn'd her to be torn in Pieces by
wild Horses."

Now concerning the _dividing_ of the _Royal Patrimon_, and the
_Appanages_, we have the same Person's Testimony, _lib. 5. cap. 94._
where speaking of _Charlemagn_, he has these Words--"These Matters being
ended, the King held a _Convention_ of the _Nobility and Gentry_ of the
_Franks_, for the making and maintaining a firm Peace among his Sons,
and dividing the Kingdom into Three Parts, that every one of them might
know what Part of it he ought to defend and govern, in Case they
survived him."--Also in that Place where he speaks of the Partition made
among the Children of _Lewis_, lib. 5. cap. 40. he says thus.--"They went
to _Amiens_, and there they