But if he were canny he would not go to them empty-handed, trusting to justice alone.

Charlemagne was very strict, but unless the _missi_ were exceptionally honest and pious they would not be averse to taking bribes.

Theodulf, Bishop of Orleans, who was one of the Emperor's _missi_, has left us a most entertaining Latin poem, in which he describes the attempts of the clergy and laymen, who flocked to his court, to buy justice.[23] Every one according to his means brought a present; the rich offered money, precious stones, fine materials, and Eastern carpets, arms, horses, antique vases of gold or silver chiselled with representations of the labours of Hercules.

The poor brought skins of Cordova leather, tanned and untanned, excellent pieces of cloth and linen (poor Ermentrude must have worked hard for the month before the justices came!), boxes, and wax.

'With this battering-ram,' cries the shocked Bishop Theodulf, 'they hope to break down the wall of my soul.