The councils of Tolède are a series of the eighteen Councils or Assemblies held with Tolède between the years 400 and 702, while being all, except Ier at times of the Visigoth S. These assemblies politico-nuns of wisigothic monarchy were convened by the King and were chaired by the oldest Archevêque (subsequently by that of Tolède. The representation was reduced to the high ecclesiastical hierarchies and the nobility.

The IIIe Concile of Tolède of the year 589 was the first to be general, and one had decided the abandonment of the Arianisme by Wisigothes and consequently, the incorporation of the policy of the hispano-Romans.

With the IVe Concile of Tolède of the year 633 had been sanctioned the elective character of monarchy wisigothe. During these Councils one made decisions with regard to the limits of the royal capacity; but much were used to legalize blows forces and of the usurpations. Some imposed repressive measurements against the Jews, like the XVII Council of Tolède of the year 694.

Councils

Character and mode of the development of the Councils

One discussed much on the character and the methods Assemblies which were the general Councils. There does not exist a parallel in any country and consequently the question is opened with multiple interpretations. In general, by some indications, we know that the Councils constituted the shape of support to the King or his policy, but one does not know if it were about a simply moral support, of a secondary support (bases it capacity of the King being in the support of noble and of the army) or of a decisive support without which the king would not obtain the support of noble or the population, very influenced by the religious authorities.

The decisions of the Council treated requests of the King (independently of the subjects of strict ecclesiastical discipline) and they were adopted in the majority (starting from VIIIe Concile the assistance the noble palatine ones had brought closer Goths in the majority or perhaps it gave it to him). The bishops who defended the positions put in failure were obliged to assume the conciliar decisions under penalty of Excommunication.

In all the cases the adopted decisions went in the direction suggested by the King and seldom harmed the desires of this one (if such would be the case, the King could not confirm the conclusions reached by the Council), by presenting at least standards which could be real pleasure. The king was never criticized by the Bishops in the Council, although one criticized sometimes with the preceding king.

The assistance with the Council was obligatory, except disease or realization of an order of the King; the sorrow by non-accomplishment was to be the excommunion for one year.

The provincial Synods covered ecclesiastical subjects theoretically, often summers at the origin in the province, but of which the use was extended to other provinces. They took place in a metropolitan church which remained closed with the faithful ones, while having to enter participants by only one door supervised by the ostiarios ( ostiarií = gatekeepers ).

The bishops sat down in circle by order of seniority, and when they were already placed they entered some priests which could also assist them and to sit down behind the bishops; then the deacons reached whom had the right to do it, but they remained upright; entered finally the laic hosts, with their secretaries ( notarií ) who would write the acts (no member of the lower clergy could attended the Synods).

As all this world already installed in its places one closed the door supervised by the ostiarios . A protocolar session, prayers and preambles were initiated then. Then the subway requested the presentation of the subjects by order (each one was to be presented after to be treated the preceding one).

All the covered subjects, one called the ecclesiastics or laymen who had remained outside and whom they would have something to say because somebody could present complaints against Bishops, judges, noble or any other person. The archdeacon gathered the complaints presented and it presented them to the meeting and if the applicant were adequate it was called to speak. If the request or the complaint were accepted, it was communicated to a royal civil servant ( executor ) to make appear before the Synod with the person required.

All the covered and closed subjects, the Council finished with prayers (for God and the King) and the signature of the acts (of which the first signatory was the subway)

Museum of the Councils and the Wisigothe Culture

This museum was open in 1969 in the church of San Román , in the town of Tolède. Contains codices in wisigothic letter and archaeological examples of discoveries, goldsmithery and jewelry, in source so much of the town of Tolède like province.

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