The Freeing and Selling of Serfs
Written circa 1066-1087 A.D.

We forbid any one to sell a Christian into a foreign land and especially to heathens. For let great care be taken lest their souls for which Christ gave His life be sold into damnation.

And we prohibit one to sell a man out of the country. But if he, who wishes to make his serf free, hand him over to the sheriff by his right hand in full assembly, he must proclaim him quit of the yoke of his servitude by manumission, and show him free ways and gates and give him arms, viz., lance and sword; finally the man is made free.

Thorpe, Benjamin, Ancient Laws and Institutes of England, pp. 479, 493, Eyre & Spottiswoode: London, 1840.