“4. If any one shall take away the life of a member, his reparatory fine shall not exceed eight pounds; but if he obstinately refuse to make reparation, then shall he be prosecuted by and at the expense of the whole Society: and if any individual undertake the prosecution, then each of the rest shall bear an equal share of the expenses. If, however, a member who is poor kill any one, and compensation must be made, then, if the deceased was worth 1200 shillings, each member shall contribute half a mark[6]; but if the deceased was a hind, each member shall contribute two oræ[7]; if a Welchman, only one.
“5. If any member shall take away the life of another member, he shall make reparation to the relations of the deceased, and besides make atonement for his fellow-member by a fine of eight pounds, or lose his right of fellowship to the society. And if any member, except only in the presence of the king, or bishop, or an alderman, shall eat or drink with him who has taken away the life of a fellow-member, he shall forfeit one pound, unless he can prove, by the evidence of two witnesses on oath, that he did not know the person.
“6. If any member shall treat another member in an abusive manner, or call him names, he shall forfeit a quart of honey; and if he be abusive to any other person, who is not a member, he shall likewise forfeit a quart of honey.
“7. If any member, being at a distance from home, shall die or fall sick, his fellow-members shall send to fetch him, either alive or dead, to whatever place he may have wished, or be liable to the stated penalty; but if a member shall die at home, every member who shall not go to fetch his corpse, and every member who shall absent himself from his obsequies, shall forfeit a sextarium of honey.”
These rules might have been certified by a Pratt, so simple and so excellent is their arrangement. But they must not be regarded as exceptional. The following form a portion of the regulations of another similar society at Exeter:—
“1. At each meeting every member shall contribute two sextaria of barley meal, and every knight one, together with his quota of honey.
“2. When any member is about to go abroad, each of his fellow-members shall contribute five pence; and if any member’s house is burnt, one penny.
“3. If any one should by chance neglect the stated time of meeting, his regular contribution to be doubled.”
Well may Mr. Ansell say, “The guilds or social corporations of the Anglo-Saxons seem, on the whole, to have been friendly associations, made for mutual aid and contribution, to meet the pecuniary exigencies which were perpetually arising.” Nor can the reader fail to be struck with the resemblance these rules bear to those of many of the modern societies; and, as they were framed 800 years ago, the similitude is somewhat remarkable. After the Conquest guilds were established for the express promotion of religion, charity, or trade, and from these fraternities the various companies and city corporations have arisen. The following, forming a portion of the rules of St. Catherine’s Guild, seem like those of some modern fraternity:—