If one fellow killed another, he was to pay the legal
weregild to his kindred, and also eight pounds to the society. Harsh
words used by one fellow towards another, or even towards a stranger,
incurred a fine. No one was to eat or drink in the company of one who
had killed his brother fellow, unless in the presence of the king,
bishop, or alderman. Dissertatio Epistolaris, p. 21.

We find in Wilkins's Anglo-Saxon Laws, p. 65, a number of ordinances
sworn to by persons both of noble and ignoble rank (ge eorlisce ge
ceorlisce), and confirmed by king Athelstan. These are in the nature of
by-laws for the regulation of certain societies that had been formed for
the preservation of public order. Their remedy was rather violent: to
kill and seize the effects of all who should rob any member of the
association. This property, after deducting the value of the things
stolen, was to be divided into two parts; one given to the criminal's
wife if not an accomplice, the other shared between the king and the
society.

In another fraternity among the clergy and laity of Exeter every fellow
was entitled to a contribution in case of taking a journey, or if his
house was burned. Thus they resembled, in some degree, our friendly
societies; and display an interesting picture of manners, which has
induced me to insert this note, though not greatly to the present
purpose. See more of the Anglo-Saxon guilds in Turner's History, vol.
ii. p. 102. Societies of the same kind, for purposes of religion,
charity, or mutual assistance, rather than trade, may be found long
afterwards. Blomefield's Hist. of Norfolk, vol. iii. p. 494.

[47] See a grant from Turstin, archbishop of York, in the reign of Henry
I., to the burgesses of Beverley, that they may have their _hanshus_
(i.e. guildhall) like those of York, et ibi sua statuta pertractent ad
honorem Dei, &c. Rymer, t. i. p. 10, edit. 1816.

[48] Madox, Firma Burgi, p. 189.

[49] Idem, passim. A few of an earlier date may be found in the new
edition of Rymer.

[50] Lyttelton's History of Henry II., vol. ii. p. 170. Macpherson's
Annals of Commerce, vol. i. p. 331.

[51] Macpherson, p. 245.

[52] Id. p. 282.

[53] Cives Lundinenses, et pars nobilium qui eo tempore consistebant
Lundoniae, Clitonem Eadmundum unanimi consensu in regem levavere. p. 249.

[54] Chron. Saxon. p. 154. Malmsbury, p. 76. He says the people of
London were become almost barbarians through their intercourse with the
Dan