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 the seven 356 THE DECLINE AND FALL frequently inculcated in their popular discourses ; and the episcopal synods were the only councils that could pretend to the Aveight and authority of a national assembly. In such councils, where the princes and magistrates sat promiscuously Avith the bishops, the important affairs of the state, as well as of the church, might be freely debated ; differences reconciled, alliances formed, contributions imposed, wise resolutions often concerted, and sometimes executed ; and there is reason to believe that, in moments of extreme danger, a Pevdragon, or Dictator, was elected by the general consent of the Britons. These pastoral cares, so worthy of the episcopal character, were interrupted, however, by zeal and superstition ; and the British clergy incessantly laboured to eradicate the Pelagian heresy, which they abhorred as the peculiar disgrace of their native country.i^* Asjembiyof It is somewhat remarkable, or rather it is extremely natural, that the revolt of Britain and Armorica should have introduced an appearance of libei'ty into the obedient provinces of Gaul. In a solemn edict,^^^ filled with the strongest assurances of that paternal affection which princes so often express and so seldom feel, the emperor Honorius promulgated his intention of con- vening an annual assembly of the seven provinces : a name peculiarly appropriated to Aquitain, and the ancient Narbonnese, which had long since exchanged their Celtic rudeness for the useful and elegant arts of Italy.^^*^ Aries, the seat of government and commerce, was appointed for the place of the assembly ; which regularly continued twenty-eight days, from the fifteenth of August to the thirteenth of September, of every year. It consisted of the Prgetorian praefect of the Gauls ; of seven provincial governors, one consular and six presidents ; of the magistrates, and perhaps the bishops, of about sixty cities ; and of a competent, though indefinite, number of the most honour- able and opulent possessors of land, who might justly be con- sidered as the representatives of their country. They were empowered to interpret and communicate the laws of their 1** Consult Usher, de Antiq. Eccles. Britannicar. c. 8-12. 1"^ See the correct text of this edict, as published by Sirmond (N'ot. ad Sidon. Apollin. p. 147). Hincmar of Rheims, who assigns a place to the bishops, had probably seen (in the ninth century) a more perfect copy. Dubos, Hist. Critique de la Monarchic Francjoise, torn. i. p. 241-255. i*j It is evident from the Notitia that the seven provinces were the Viennensis, the maritime Alps, the first and second Narbonnese, Noveuipopulania, and the first and second Aquitain. In the room of the first Aquitain, the Abb^ Dubos, on the authority of Hincmar, desires to introduce the first Lugdunensis, or Lyonnese. [The Seven Provinces are not to be confused with Septiraania; cp. Appendix 23.]