E06232: The Formulary of Marculf includes a template for a charter with which to found a monastery or oratory dedicated to *Mary (mother of Christ, S00033), or alternatively another saint. Written in Latin in Gaul, probably c. 650/730.

The Formulary of Marculf, II. 1

Short excerpt:

Ista de magna rem, qui vult exsinodocio e aut monasterio
Domine verae sanctae atque sedola ostensione patentibus virtutum miraculis Christi remuneratione fulgenti, oraturio ac cellola in honore sanctae ac semper virginis Mariae, genetricis Domini nostri Iesu Christi, aut in alter ius sancti, constructa ille reus quidem meretis, flagiciis quoque, sceleribus, prelascivis actibus ac nimia faeditate pollutus, vel ordine vel opere omnium bonorum christianorum longe satis extremus [...] Faciant quippe citeri quod voluerint, agant quod ipse maluerint, idcirco quia omnis homo suo sensu ducitur; ego tamen huius rei exemplum secutus elegi, ad prefato oraturio vel cellola iuxta apostulorum numero duodecim ad presens pauperum pro remissione a peccatorum meorum vel pro diluenda meorum mole peccaminum, Christo presole, conlocari; ubi etiam per presentem epistolam donationis meae dono ad presente die – quod in luminaribus ipsius oratorii vel alimonia ac substantiale victu, vestitu quoque, substantacione ipsorum pauperum vel clericorum ibidem servientium , Deo gubernante et opitulante, proficiat – donatum que in perpetuo esse volo atque de meo iure in eorum dominatione et potestate lego, trado, transmitto atque transfundo [...]

'This one [is for] someone who wants to build a religious house or a monastery out of a large property
To the truly blessed lord, and shining with manifest zeal, by the clear miracles of virtue, through Christ's reward, [and] to the oratory or cell built in honour of the blessed and eternally virgin Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus Christ – or: in that of another saint – A, guilty through [my] faults of disgraceful crimes, tainted by wanton deeds and by extreme infamy, by rank and by deed far the last of all good Christians ... Let others do as they wish, and act according to their preference, since every man is led by his own sense: but I, following this example, have chosen at present to house in the said oratory or cell, with Christ's favour, twelve paupers, after the number of the apostles, for the remission of my sins – or: for the alleviation of the burden of my sins –. By the present letter of my donation I also give in this place from the present day what may help [to provide for] the lights of this oratory and the support, sustenance and provision of food and clothing for these paupers and the clerics [who serve] there, with God's governance and assistance. And [I want this] to be given in perpetuity, and transfer it from my possession into their authority and power ...'

Text: Zeumer 1886, 70-74. Translation: Rio 2008, 178-82.