The same custom seems also
to have prevailed among the Jews.[*******]
Theft and robbery were frequent among the Anglo-Saxons In order to
impose some check upon these crimes, it was ordained, that no man
should sell or buy any thing above twenty pence value, except in open
market;[********] and every bargain of sale must be executed before
witnesses.[*********]
[1: Lindenbrogius, passim.]
[2: Tacit, de Mor. Germ.]
[3: LL. AElf. sect. 12. Wilkins, p. 29. It is
probable that by wilful murder Alfred means a treacherous
murder, committed by one who has no declared feud with
another.]
[4: LL. AElf. sect. 4. Wilkins, p. 35.]
[5: LL. AElf. sect. 40. See also LL. Ethelb. sect.
34, etc.]
[6: LL Ethelb. sect. 32.]
[7: Exod. cap. xxi. 29, 30.]
[8: LL. AEthelst. sect. 12.]
[9: LL. AEthelst. sect. 10, 12. LL.Edg. apud
Wilkins, p. 80. LL Ethelredi, sect 4, apud Wilkins, p. 103.
Hloth. et Eadm. sect 16. LL. Canute. sect. 22.]
Gangs of robbers much disturbed the peace of the country, and the law
determined that a tribe of banditti, consisting of between seven and
thirty-five persons, was to be called a "turma," or troop; any greater
company was denominated an army.
Pages:
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360