Note 429 — XI. SAXON ENGLAND.

Cnutes Domas c. v. (Thorpe, I. 362). To appreciate the full weight of the privileges thus distributed, we should bear in mind how completely, in those times, the various classes of society were distinguished by the facilities afforded them of acquittal in cases of accusation, and by the graduated scale of fines established for injuries inflicted on them. These were most substantial advantages when the wer-gild, or blood-money, was the only safeguard guaranteed by law for life and limb, and were most important privileges of the aristocracy. This constitutes the thane-right alluded to in the council of Enham, and retained by the laws of Cnut, as attaching to priests who preserve their chastity. Thus “sacramentum presbyteri regulariter viventis tantumdem valeat sicut liberalis hominis” (Cnuti Leg. Sæcul. c. 128—ed. Kolderup-Rosenvinge)—the expression “liberalis homo” being, in this version, used for the “taynus” or thane of the other texts.