The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Peace of God

PEACE OF GOD, a cessation from private warfare which the Roman Catholic Church in France in the 10th and 11th centuries tried to impose upon the nobles of that country. The ecclesiastical authorities in several synods recommended that all differences should be settled by the ordinary civil tribunals, and attempted to enforce obedience or at least compliance by threats of spiritual penalties. But these efforts were all in vain, the nobles refusing to submit to any of the minor courts — the only ones then existing. A compromise was arrived at which resulted in the establishment of what was known as the Truce of God (q.v.).