Note 39 — Chapter II · THE REGALIA, OR RIGHTS OF ROYALTY.

Wihtr. § 16. The position and privileges of the clergy at this very early period, and especially in Kent, were very exalted. Æðelberht places the king only on the footing of a priest, in respect to his stolen property. Æðelb. § 1. But this grave error was remedied as society became better consolidated, although to the very last the clergy were left in possession of far too much secular power.