if his house had one outer door, and of 8d.

if it had two.

This tax was to compensate the sufferer for his loss, and also to put the whole community under bonds to keep the peace and to feel responsible for the safety of each other's property.

Thus it not only acted as a great mutual insurance company of which every householder was a member, but it made him, as it were, a special constable against burglary.

This old Saxon institution is in full life and vigor to-day.