9. For this service they must study Frya's Tex and the laws. From
the sages they must learn wisdom, from the warriors the art of war,
and from the sea-kings the skill required for distant voyages.
10. Every year one hundred of the defenders shall return to their
homes, and those that may have been wounded shall remain in the
citadels.
11. At the election of the defenders no burgher or Grevetman, or
other person of distinction, shall vote, but only the people.
12. The mother at Texland shall have three times seven active
messengers, and three times twelve speedy horses. In the other citadels
each maiden shall have three messengers and seven horses.
13. Every citadel shall have fifty agriculturists chosen by the people,
but only those may be chosen who are not strong enough to go to war
or to go to sea.
14. Every citadel must provide for its own sustenance, and must
maintain its own defences, and look after its share of the general
contributions.
15. If a man is chosen to fill any office and refuses to serve, he
can never become a burgher, nor have any vote. And if he is already
a burgher, he shall cease to be so.
16. If any man wishes to consult the mother or a Burgtmaid, he must
apply to the secretary, who will take him to the Burgtmaster. He
will then be examined by a surgeon to see if he is in good health. If
he is passed, he shall lay aside his arms, and seven warriors shall
present him to the mother.
17. If the affair concerns only one district, he must bring forward not
less than three witnesses; but if it affects the whole of Friesland,
he must have twenty-one additional witnesses, in order to guard
against any deceptions.
18. Under all circumstances the mother must take care that her
children, that is, Frya's people, shall remain as temperate as
possible. This is her most important duty, and it is the duty of all
of us to help her in performing it.
19. If she is called upon to decide any judicial question between
a Grevetman and the community, she must incline towards the side of
the community in order to maintain peace, and because it is better
that one man should suffer than many.
20. If any one comes to the mother for advice, and she is prepared
to give it, she must do it immediately. If she does not know what to
advise, he must remain waiting seven days; and if she then is unable
to advise, he must go away without complaining, for it is better to
have no advice at all than bad advice.
21. If a mother shall have given bad advice out of ill will, she must
be killed or driven out of the land, deprived of everything.
22. If her Burgtheeren are accomplices, they are to be treated in a
similar manner.
23. If her guilt is doubtful or only suspected, it must be considered
and debated, if necessary, for twenty-one weeks. If half the votes
are against her, she must be declared innocent. If two-thirds are
against her, she must wait a whole year. If the votes are then the
same, she must be considered guilty, but may not be put to death.
24. If any of the one-third who have voted for her wish to go away
with her, they may depart with all their live and dead stock, and
shall not be the less considered, since the majority may be wrong as
well as the minority.