The English themselves, reduced to the most extreme indigence by those continued depredations, had shaken off all bands of government; and those who had been plundered to-day, betook themselves next day to a like disorderly life, and, from despair, joined the robbers in pillaging and ruining their fellow-citizens.

These were the evils for which it was necessary that the vigilance and activity of Alfred should provide a remedy.
That he might render the execution of justice strict and regular, he divided all England into counties: these counties he subdivided into hundreds, and the hundreds into tithings.

Every householder was answerable for the behavior of his family and slaves, and even of his guests, if they lived above three days in his house.

Ten neighboring householders were formed into one corporation, who, under the name of a tithing, decennary, or fribourg, were answerable for each other's conduct, and over whom, one person, called a tithing-man, headbourg, or borsholder, was appointed to preside.

Every man was punished as an outlaw who did not register himself in some tithing.