North. king: ceorl::113:1 nearly. Merc. king: ceorl:: 72:1. Wessex king: ceorl:: 72:1. Kent king: ceorl:: 172⁄9:1. North. noble, 1st class:ceorl::56 :1 nearly. 2nd class:ceorl::30½:1 nearly. 3rd class:ceorl::15¼:1 nearly. 4th class:ceorl:: 7½:1 nearly. Merc. noble : ceorl::6 : 1. Wessex noble, 1st class: ceorl::6:1. 2nd class: ceorl::3:1. Kent noble : ceorl::2:1. ----- Footnote 521: “Swá eác we settað be eallum hádum ge ceorle ge eorle.” Ælf. § 4. “Cnut cing grét ... ealle míne þegnast welfhynde and twýhynde freóndlíce.” Cod. Dipl. No. 731. ----- Now this variety, which is totally irrespective of the real value of the þryms and the shilling, seems to involve this part of the subject in impenetrable darkness. All that we can permit ourselves to guess is, that circumstances had in process of time altered the original relations between the classes, but in different ratios in the different kingdoms. This however is not all the difficulty: we have to contend with the complication arising from the fact, that the scilling, the currency in which all the southern calculations are nominally made, really differed in value in the several states: and thus when we attempt to compare one freeman with another, we find their respective prices to be in Mercia 833⅓ sceats, in Kent 3600. However the details were arranged, the principle itself is clear enough, and we must now be content to remain in ignorance of the means adopted to reconcile conflicting interests measured by a standard so imperfect. But the wergyld or price of the whole man was not all that the law professed to regulate. When once the principle had been admitted, that this might be fixed at a certain sum, it was an easy corollary not only that the sum in question should limit the amount of responsibility to the State[522] but that a tariff for all injuries should be settled. In the laws of Æðelberht and Ælfred we find very detailed assessments of the damage which could be done to a man by injuries, either of his person, his property, or his honour: many of these are amusing and strange enough, and highly indicative of the rude state of society for which they were adapted. But it seems unnecessary to pursue the details they deal with: they may serve to turn a period about Teutonic barbarism, or to point a moral about human fallibility; but the circumstances under which they were rational and convenient arrangements have passed away, and they are now of little interest as historical records, and of none with a view to future utility. ----- Footnote 522: