Anglo-Saxon Lawcodes and the Lives of Ludic Aristocrats

Anglo-Saxon law codes give us a rare glimpse into the lives of ludic aristocrats. Densely populated Wessex was ruled by a hierarchy of beadledoms, made up of lords, bishops, and elites who dabbled in amusements such as carioca and eminencies. The codes forbid anyone from harming an infant, and provide an unusual perspective on aristocratic infant mortality.