the noble class, could swear for sixty hides of land[45]. His horsewealh, the Briton employed in his stables, was placed on an equal footing with the freeman, at a wergyld of 200 shillings[46]; and even his godson had a particular protection[47]. Lastly, high-treason, by compassing the king’s death, harbouring of exiles, or of the king’s rebellious dependents, was made liable to the punishment of death[48]. ----- Footnote 32: Æðelb. i. § 2. This enactment has been supposed to be the foundation of one of those privileges of Parliament, which we have seen solemnly discussed on a late occasion. Footnote 33: Æðelb. i. § 3. Footnote 34: Ibid. § 4, 9. Footnote 35: Ibid. § 8, 15. Footnote 36: Ibid. § 5, 13. Footnote 37: Ibid. § 10, 14, 16. Footnote 38: Æðelb. § 7, 21. Footnote 39: Wihtr. § 16. The position and privileges of the clergy at this very early period, and especially in Kent, were very exalted. Æðelberht places the king only on the footing of a priest, in respect to his stolen property. Æðelb. § 1. But this grave error was remedied as society became better consolidated, although to the very last the clergy were left in possession of far too much secular power. Footnote 40: Ini, § 6. Ælf. § 7. Footnote 41: Ini, § 45. Ælfr. § 40. Footnote 42: Ælfr. § 3. Cnut, ii. § 59. Footnote 43: Æðelst. iii. § 6; iv. § 4; v. § 4. Footnote 44: Ælfr. § 2. Footnote 45: Ini, § 19. Footnote 46: Ini, § 33. Footnote 47: Ibid. § 76. Footnote 48: Ælf. § 4. Cnut, ii. § 58. ----- The political position of the king, at the head of the state, was secured by an oath of allegiance taken to him, by all subjects of the age of twelve years[49], the ealdormen in the shires, the geréfan in the various districts or towns, summoned his witan and the legal period of majority among the Germans, for public purposes. In this capacity he appointed named the members of their body[50]. In this capacity he was empowered to inflict fines upon the public officers, and even private individuals, for such neglect of duty as endangered the public interests: these fines were paid under the title of the king’s oferhýrnes, literally his _disobedience_: thus, if a man when summoned refuse to attend the gemót; if a geréfa refuse to do justice, when called upon, or to put the law in execution against offenders[51], and in other similar cases where the whole framework of society requires the existence of a central support, having power to hold its scattered elements together, and in their places. ----- Footnote 49: