No one can read the summary of Kemble’s investigations, which is contained in the concluding chapter to the First Volume, without feeling bound to acknowledge that its pages contain the heartfelt convictions of one who has spared no pains to mature his own knowledge of the inner springs which actuated the conduct of our forefathers’ lives and advanced their culture, nor failed in his endeavour to impart to his readers a correct view of these important elements of our own manners and customs;—in Kemble’s own words, “the history of our childhood, the explanation of our manhood.” W. DE G. B. London, September 11th, 1876. CONTENTS. VOL. I. -------------- BOOK I. THE ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ANGLOSAXON COMMONWEALTH. CHAPTER Page I. Saxon and Welsh Traditions 1 II. The Mark 35 III. The Gá or Scír 72 IV. Landed Possession. The Eðel, Híd, or Alod 88 V. Personal Rank. The Freeman. The Noble 122 VI. The King 137 VII. The Noble by Service 162 VIII. The Unfree. The Serf 185 IX. The Mutual Guarantee. Mægburh. Tithing. Hundred 228 X. Fǽhðe. Wergyld 267 XI. Folcland. Bócland. Lǽnland 289 XII. Heathendom 327 APPENDIX. A. Marks 449 B. The Híd 487 C. Manumission of Serfs 496 D. Orcy’s Guild at Abbotsbury 511 E. Lǽnland 517 F. Heathendom 523 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE SAXONS IN ENGLAND. ------------------------------------ BOOK I. THE ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ANGLO-SAXON COMMONWEALTH. CHAPTER I. SAXON AND WELSH TRADITIONS.