Page:A History of Domestic Manners and Sentiments in England During the Middle Ages.djvu/82

 62 Hifiory of DomeJIic Manners manulcript of Prudentius, the lady Wifdom is reprefented feated on fuch a throne. It was, perhaps, the lurli-geat-fetl, or leat at the burh-gate, mentioned as chara6teriftic of the rank of the thane in the following extrad from a treatife on ranks in fociety, printed with the Anglo-Saxon No. 40. Wijdom on her Th laws : " And if a ceorl thrived, fo that he had fully five hides of his own land, church (or perhaps private chapel), and kitchen {hycenan), bell- houfe, and burh-gate-feat, and fpecial duty in the king's hall, then was he thenceforth worthy of the dignity of thane."