But his master could slay him if he would; it was but a chattel the less.

The slave had no place in the justice court, no kinsmen to claim vengeance or guilt-fine for his wrong.

If a stranger slew him, his lord claimed the damages; if guilty of wrong-doing, "his skin paid for him" under his master's lash.

If he fled he might be chased like a strayed beast, and when caught he might be flogged to death.

If the wrong-doer were a woman-slave she might be burned.
[Sidenote: The Moot] With the public life of the village however the slave had nothing, the last in early days little, to do.