The silence of the later laws as to a six-hynde class may probably be explained by the same considerations.
The Wilisc man under Ine’s law only half as worthy as the Englishman.
Passing from the Wilisc man who was six-hynde in consequence of his landed position to the Wilisc man viewed simply as a stranger in blood, there is further evidence that as a stranger he was regarded as only half as ‘worthy’ as an Englishman. In s. 46 of Ine’s Laws it is stated that an oath-worthy person charged with theft is to deny the charge with an oath of 120 hides if the accuser be an Englishman, but with only 60 hides if the accuser be a Wilisc man.
Ðonne mon monnan betyhð ꝥ he ceap forstele oþþe forstolenne gefeormie þonne sceal he be lx hyda onsacan þære þiefðe gif he að-wyrðe bið.
(46) When a man charges another that he steals, or harbours stolen cattle, then shall he deny the theft with lx hides if he be oath-worthy.
Gif þonne Englisc onstal ga forð onsace þonne be twy-fealdum.
If, however, an English charge of theft[252] come forward, let him then deny it with twice as many.
Gif hit þonne bið Wilisc onstal ne bið se að na þe mara.
But if it be a Wilisc charge, the oath shall not be the increased oath.