Epistle IX.
To Peter the Subdeacon.
Gregory to Peter, &c.
Gregory, a servant of
God
, presbyter and abbot of the monastery of Saint
Theodore in the province of Sicily constituted in the territory of
Panormus, has given us to understand that men of the farm of
Fulloniacus, which belongs to the holy Roman Church, are endeavouring
to encroach on the boundaries of the farm of Gerdinia, bordering on the
said farm of the holy Roman Church, which they [
i.e. monks of St.
Theodore
] have possessed without dispute for innumerable
years. And for this cause we desire you to go to the city of
Panormus, and investigate the question in such sort (with the view of
the right of possession remaining with those who have had it
heretofore) that, if you shall find that the aforesaid monastery of
Saint Theodore has possessed the boundaries concerning which the
dispute has arisen without disturbance for forty years, you shall not
allow it to suffer any damage, even though it were to the advantage of
the holy Roman Church, but provide in all ways for its undisturbed
security. But, if the agents of the holy Roman Church should shew
that the monastery has not been in possession without dispute of its
right for forty years, but that any question has been raised within
that time concerning the said boundaries, let it be set at rest
peaceably and legally by arbitrators chosen for the purpose. For
not only do we wish that questions of wrong-doing that have never yet
been mooted should be raised, but also that such as have been raised by
others than ourselves should be speedily set at rest. Let thy
experience, therefore, cause all to be so effectively adjusted, that no
question relating to this matter may be hereafter referred to us
again. Further, we desire that the testament of Bacauda, late
Xenodochus
, continue valid as when first made.
The month of November: ninth
Indiction.