But the value of the wergyld was not the only measure of the ealdorman’s dignity. His oath bore the same proportion to that of the ceorl, and I think we may assume that this relative proportion was maintained throughout all ranks. The law respecting oaths declares that the oath of a twelve-hynde shall be equal to those of six ceorlas, because if one would avenge a twelve-hynde it can be fully done upon six ceorlas, and his wergyld is equal to their six[346]. His house was in some sort a sanctuary, and any wrong-doer who fled to it had three days’ respite[347]; if any one broke the peace therein, he was liable to a heavy fine[348]; his burhbryce, or the mulct for violation of his castle, was eighty shillings[349], which however the law of Ælfred reduces to sixty[350]; for a breach of his borh or surety, and his mundbyrd or protection, a fine of two pounds was imposed[351]; his Fihtwíte, or the penalty imposed upon the man who drew sword and fought in his presence, was one hundred shillings[352], which was increased to one hundred and twenty if the offence was committed in the open court of justice[353]. The only person who enjoys a higher state, beside the king, is the archbishop; and this pre-eminence may probably have once been due to the heathen high-priest; just as, indeed, the equality of the bishop and ealdorman may have been traditionally handed down from a period when the priesthood and the highest nobility formed one body. There is no very distinct intimation of any peculiar dress or decoration by which the ealdorman was distinguished, but he probably wore a beáh or ring upon his head, the fetel or embroidered belt, and the golden hilt which seems to have been peculiar to the noble class. The staff and sword were probably borne by him as symbols of his civil and criminal jurisdiction. ----- Footnote 346: Thorpe, i. 182. Footnote 347: Leg. Æðelst. iii. § 6, but seven days Æðelr. vii. § 5; iv. 4. Footnote 348: Leg. Ini, § 6. Footnote 349: Leg. Ini, § 45. Footnote 350: Leg. Ælfr. § 40. Footnote 351: Ibid. § 3. Leg. Cnut, Sec. § 69. Æðelr. vii. § 11. Footnote 352: Leg. Ælfr. § 15. Æðelr. vii. § 12. Footnote 353: Leg. Ælfr. § 38. -----