Page:The Law of the Westgoths - tr. Bergin - 1906.djvu/29



Here begins the lawbook of the Westgoths.

Christ is first in our law, then is our Christian doctrine — church — and all christians, kings, freeholders, and all having a settled home, bishops and all booklearned men.

A child is brought to church and baptism is asked, then shall father and mother provide godfather and godmother, and salt and water. It shall be brought to the church. Then they shall call on the priest. He shall live at the parsonage of the parish. The child shall be primsigned before it can be brought into the church — firi utæn kirkiu dyr —. Then the baptismal font shall be consecrated, the priest baptize the child, the godfather hold it and the godmother name it. The priest shall say how long the father and mother shall care for it. Is the child taken sick, can not be brought to church, then the godmother shall hold it and the godfather baptize it in water, if that can