Note 1035 — Chapter XI · THE POOR.
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The lordless man, of whom no right could be got, i.e. who being in no sort of association, could neither support himself nor offer any guarantee to society, was to be got into one by his family. If they either could not or would not produce him at the folcmót and find a lord for him, he became an outlaw, and any one might slay him. Leg. Æðelstán. Thorpe, i. 200. The same prince decided that if any landless man, who followed a lord in some other shire, should revisit his family, they might receive him on condition of being answerable for his offences. Thorpe, i. 204. But this seems to me to be the case merely of a temporary visit, made of course with the knowledge and permission of his lord.