Louis, by the grace of God king of the Franks.

Let all present and future persons know that, for the salvation of our soul and the souls of King Louis, our father of illustrious memory, and all our ancestors, having also considered the welfare of our entire kingdom, we have acted of our sincere will and with the common counsel of our barons.

We decree that neither we nor our barons shall enforce in favor of Jews any debts contracted from this time forward.

No one anywhere in our kingdom may retain a Jew belonging to another lord. Wherever a lord finds his Jew, he may lawfully seize him as though he were his own serf, regardless of how long that Jew has lived under another lord’s authority or in another kingdom.

The debts presently owed to Jews shall be paid in three installments. One-third shall be paid at the approaching Feast of All Saints, one-third at the following Feast of All Saints and the remaining third at the next Feast of All Saints.

Concerning Christians, we decree that neither we nor our barons shall allow them to receive interest upon debts contracted from this time forward. By interest, we mean anything paid beyond the principal sum.

We shall observe these statutes and cause them to be observed in our territory. Our barons shall do the same in their territories.

If any barons refuse to observe these statutes, we shall compel them to do so. Our other barons shall be bound in good faith to assist us with all their power. If any rebellious persons are found in the barons’ territories, we and our other barons shall assist in compelling them to observe the aforesaid statutes.

We desire these statutes to be observed unbroken forever by us and our heirs. Our barons have likewise agreed that they and their heirs shall observe them forever.

I, Philip, count of Boulogne, have approved, advised and sworn to the provisions stated above. I, Theobald, count of Champagne, have approved, advised and sworn to the same. I, Hugh, count of La Marche, have done the same. I, Amaury, count of Montfort and constable of France, have done the same. I, Hugh, count of Saint-Pol, have done the same. I, William, count of Limoges, have done the same. I, William of Dampierre, have done the same. We have approved, advised and sworn to these provisions for the salvation of our souls and the souls of our ancestors.

It was further added that all Jews must present whatever written instruments they possess concerning their debts to their respective lords before the Feast of All Saints. Otherwise, those instruments shall be invalid and the Jews shall no longer be able to use them to claim their debts.

So that all the foregoing provisions may remain valid and undisturbed forever, we have caused our seals to be attached to the present letter as a permanent record and testimony.

Done at Melun in the year of the Lord 1230, in the month of December.