These quotations are taken from a late tenth-century handbook for a priest to use in confession (the Scriftboc). The following sections (from various chapters) concern slavery. Remember that this evidence will not necessarily apply to later periods of English history.
From the "Introduction" to the Scriftboc:
b03.11.0 And in addition to the good works that we spoke of above, let him free (liberate) men and release those who are captives, and from the day that he leaves off his unrighteous work let him not renew it again, so that he not become like the dog who eats what he previously vomited;
A02.00.0 iiii Concerning the laity, in what matter they are to do penance
A02.05.1 Whoever has intercourse with his slave must fast for one winter.
A02.05.2 If she has a child, he must free it and nonetheless must fast one winter.
A11.00.0 Concerning joining together and various cases
A11.02.0 If a male and female join themselves in sexual union (marriage) (with mutual consent) and thereafter one of them is set free and cannot redeem (free) the other one, whichever one of them is free may obtain freedom for the (one who remains a) slave.
A11.03.0 If a freeman takes a slave woman as a wife, he may not put her away if they were united previously with both their wills.
A11.04.0 If someone frees a pregnant slave, her child is nevertheless born a slave.
A12.00.0 xiii Concerning the cleanliness of the married and various cases
A12.03.0 If a woman's husband be taken into captivity, she must wait for him six years and the man must do likewise, if something similar happens to her.
A12.04.0 If a man takes another wife, and the captive after five winters returns, he must leave the later (second) one and take the captive whom he had before, and the woman must do likewise for him if she takes another (a second) husband.
A13.00.0 xv Concerning the ages of a boy or girl, when they have authority over themselves
A13.03.0 A father, if he is compelled by necessity, may sell his son into slavery up to the age of six years; after that age he cannot sell him (the son) without the son's consent.
A13.04.0 If the enemy seizes a man's wife and he cannot get her back, he may take another wife, for that is better than that he commit the sin of fornication.
A26.00 xxvi (Concerning various cases)
A26.10.0 If you wish to alleviate a year's fast, set a slave free (redeem a captive), or donate 30 shillings, or sing the psalms of the psalter.
The penances given above suggest that slavery in Anglo-Saxon England was a significantly different institution than, say, slavery in 19th century America. In you written link response, try to figure out what the similarities and differences are between the two institutions. What do the penitential canons suggest to you about the permanence of slavery in early England. Did you expect that there was slavery in England at this time? Why or why not?
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