It would be absurd to pretend that, were it necessary to rewrite the Essay on ‘The English Village Community’ after an interval of nearly twenty years, modification of many points might not be needful. But as further editions were called for, it seemed best to leave it as it was, a link in a chain of inquiry which has not yet come to an end. Other links have been added by far more competent inquirers, and these have generously given it a place in the chain from which it would indeed be ungrateful in me to wish to unlink it. But I venture to hope that the addition of this third Essay will be accepted not only as a further contribution to the understanding of a difficult subject, but also as evidence that kindly criticism of the former volumes has not been thrown away. For constant help in the preparation of this volume I am indebted to my son, whose essay on ‘The Structure of Greek Tribal Society’ really ought to form one of this series. My thanks are due to Dr. ATKINSON and Prof. RHYS for help as regards the Irish and Welsh chapters; and to Mr. CRAIGIE for careful revision of the text and translations of the passages quoted from the early Norse laws. To Prof. LIEBERMANN and Mr. W. H. STEVENSON, for help in the reading of some difficult passages in the Kentish laws, I am especially indebted. I regret very much that I have not had the help which Prof. LIEBERMANN’S notes to his text of the Anglo-Saxon laws would have been. To Mr. F. G. HILL, of the British Museum, I owe very much in connection with the study of the currencies used in the various laws. Finally, I cannot too warmly express my gratitude especially to Prof. VINOGRADOFF, Prof. MAITLAND, and Mr. W. J. CORBETT, amongst others, for the help and encouragement which only fellow-workers can give to the otherwise solitary student. THE HERMITAGE, HITCHIN: _January 1, 1902_. CONTENTS SECT. PAGE CHAPTER I. _THE CURRENCY IN WHICH WERGELDS WERE RECKONED AND PAID._ I. CONNECTION BETWEEN THE WERGELD OF 100 HEAD OF CATTLE AND THE MINA OF 100 GOLD STATERS 1 II. THE SAME EQUATION REPEATED BETWEEN THE WERGELDS OF WESTERN TRIBES AND 200 GOLD SOLIDI OF CONSTANTINE 5 III. THE FRANKISH CURRENCY 9 IV. THE NORMAN AND ANGLO-SAXON CURRENCY 12 V. THE MINAS WHICH SURVIVED IN USE SIDE BY SIDE WITH THE ROMAN POUND 13 VI. THE USE OF GOLD TORQUES AND ARMLETS, ETC., INSTEAD OF COINS 17 CHAPTER II. _SUMMARY OF THE CYMRIC EVIDENCE._ I. THE UNIT OF CYMRIC TRIBAL SOCIETY 21 II. THE CONSTITUTION AND WORKING OF THE GWELY 23