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Here Follow the Laws which were thus Established.
1. Every Frisian must resist the assailants with such weapons as he can procure, invent, and use.[35]
2. When a boy is twelve years old he must devote one day in seven to learning how to use his weapons.
3. As soon as he is perfect in the use of them they are to be given to him, and he is to be admitted as a warrior.
4. After serving as a warrior three years, he may become a citizen, and may have a vote in the election of the headman.
5. When he has been seven years a voter he then may have a vote for the chief or king, and may be himself elected.
6. Every year he must be re-elected.
7. Except the king, all other officials are re-eligible who act according to Frya’s laws.
8. No king may be in office more than three years, in order that the office may not be permanent.
9. After an interval of seven years he may be elected again.
10. If the king is killed by the enemy, his nearest relative may be a candidate to succeed him.
11. If he dies a natural death, or if his period of service has expired, he shall not be succeeded by any blood relation nearer than the fourth degree.
12. Those who fight with arms are not men of counsel, therefore no king must bear arms. His wisdom must be his weapon, and the love of his warriors his shield.
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Book contents. Next: These are the Rights of the Mothers and the Kings..
