Lex Saxonum
Lex Saxonum is Charlemagne’s Saxon law code from 782 to 803, designed to subdue the Saxons by blending their traditional customs with Frankish law. The text survives in two manuscripts and two early editions, and was edited by Karl von Richthofen in the Monumenta Germaniae Historica. Although based on ancient Saxon practices, the version we have is later than Charlemagne’s conquest of Saxony.
It is preceded by two Saxon capitularies: Capitulatio de partibus Saxoniae (782 or 795), which imposed severe penalties for offenses against the Christian religion; and Capitulare Saxonicum (October 28, 797), which was milder and prescribed simpler punishments for formerly deadly offenses. The Lex Saxonum itself likely dates to 803, since it contains provisions added to Capitulare legi Ribuariae in that year.
The law codified old customs while removing those incompatible with Christianity, proclaimed the peace of the churches, guaranteed church possessions, and recognized the right of asylum.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 19:27 (CET).