Note 4 — A DISCOURSE concerning the LAWS and GOVERNMENT of ENGLAND.

The division of laws, during the Anglo-Saxon period, into West-Saxon-lage, Mercen-lage and Dane-lage, was not of any importance. These differed not essentially from one another. “Our Saxons, says Sir Henry Spelman, though divided into many kingdoms, yet were they all one in effect, in manners, laws and language: So that the breaking of their government into many kingdoms, or the reuniting of their kingdoms into a monarchy, wrought little or no change amongst them touching laws. For, though we talk of the West-Saxon-law, the Mercian-law and the Dane-law, whereby the west parts of England, the middle parts, and those of Norfolk, Suffolk and the north, were severally governed; yet held they all an uniformity in substance, differing rather in their mulcts than in their canea; that is, in the quantity of fines and amerciaments, than in the course and frame of justice.” Relig. Spelm. p. 49.