Egica’s Accusation

The Seventeenth Council of Toledo convened on November 9, 694, under the Visigothic King Egica. It was Egica’s third council, and like the Sixteenth, it was primarily directed against the Jews, reflecting Egica’s profound mistrust and dislike for them. Egica opened the council by claiming that Iberian Jews were conspiring with their overseas counterparts to overthrow Christian rulers and end Christianity. As a result, the council’s eighth canon decreed that all Jews, except those in Narbonensis, were to be enslaved and stripped of their property, which was to be given to Christian slaves. The appointed slavekeepers were to ensure that the Jewish religion was never practiced by these individuals again. It was noted that these regulations were enforced to varying degrees across Spain.

The council also took measures to protect the life and legacy of Egica’s queen and children after his death, a time often fraught with danger for a royal family during succession. Prayers were ordered for their souls.

Other decisions of the council included religious ordinances such as fasting by bishops for three days in honor of the Holy Trinity, sealing the baptismal font at the beginning of Lent, ensuring the observance of the washing of feet on Coena Domini, and prohibiting the clergy from selling church ornaments. The council also condemned the practice of holding Masses to hasten the death of the living and outlined prayers to be said throughout the year for the Church, the King, and the people. Additionally, the council renewed laws to ensure the safety of the royal family and took actions against Jews for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the country.