e._ that I may be worthy of my right of devising by will; that I may enjoy my right of making a will. Cod. Dipl. No. 694. Ælfgyfu the queen in 1012 commences her will in similar terms: “Dis is Ælfgyfe gegurning tó hire cynehláforde. Dæt is ðæt heó hine bitt for Godes lufun and for cynescipe ðæt heó móte beón hyre cwides wyrðe.” Cod. Dipl. No. 721. Æðelstân, king Æðelred’s son, made also a will, from which I take the following passage: “Now I thank my father, with all humility, in the name of Almighty God, for the answer which he sent me on the Friday after Midsummer day, by Ælfgár Æffa’s son; that was, that he told me, upon my father’s word, that I might, by God’s leave and his, grant my realty and chattels, as I thought best, whether for spiritual or temporal ends. And the witnesses to this answer are Eádmund,” etc. Cod. Dipl. No. 722. Lastly, Ælfhelm concludes his will with these words: “Now I entreat thee, my dear lord, that my will may stand, and that thou permit not that any man should set it aside. God is my witness that I was ever obedient to thy father, to the utmost of my power, and full faithful to him both in mind and main, and have ever been faithful to thee, in full faith and full love, as God is my witness.” Cod. Dipl. No. 967. ----- The circumstances thus brought under review show clearly that the condition of the gesíð was unfree in itself; that even the free by birth who entered into it, relinquished that most sacred inheritance, and reduced themselves to the rank of thanes, ministers or servants. Certain rights and privileges grew up, no doubt, by custom, and the counts were probably not very long subject to the mere arbitrary will of the chief: they had the protection of others in a similar state of dependency to their own, and chances, such as they were, of subservience to the king’s wishes: a bond of affection and interdependence surpassing that of blood, and replacing the mutual free guarantee of life and security, was formed between them; and they shared alike in the joys and sorrows, the successes and reverses of peace and war: but with it all, and whatever their rank; they were in fact menials, housed within the walls, fed at the table, clothed at the expense of their chief; dependent upon his bounty, his gratitude or forbearance, for their subsistence and position in life; bound to sacrifice that life itself in his service, and, strictly considered, incapable of contracting marriage or sharing in the inestimable sanctities of a home. They were his cupbearers, stewards, chamberlains and grooms; even as kings and electors were to the emperor, whom they had raised out of their own body. The real nature of their service appears even through the haze of splendour and dignity which gradually surround the intimate servants of royalty; and as the chief might select his comites and instruments from what class he chose, it