Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-26

Professor or History. University OF Chi
cHso.
When looking broadly ut the 1900
years Of the Christian era we see the
first 800 or 400 years characterized as
belonging to the period OF the Roman
empire. Tho last 300 or 400 years are
given To the growth of individual ma
tions. The intervening eleven or twelve
centuries exhibit first Il period of de-
cay and breaking UP Of the Roman en-
plre, then the revival of the Roman en-
pire OF the west by Charlemagne, and
the gap from the empire of Charlie
imagine TO the time of the modern ma
tons Is filed with what is known as
the feudal period.
To the beginning and end of this
period like those of all historic periods,
no definite dates can be assigned. His
toric movements grow more or less rap
idly and decline more or less pcrcepti-
bly,: they do not begin and end abrupt
ly. The feudal system furnished political
and military organization for Europe
for several centuries after the ninth or
tenth. TO exactly define and to find
the origin of the feudal system is per
laps moro difficult than any other task
10 the student of historic institutions
for two rcaSOns-becauSc 1t began in the
private relations of Individuals and be
cause very few writings or other his
tOriCal material of that period exist.
In studying fcudalism, as in studying
any other institution. we must re-
member that no institution is wholly
new, but is modification of or addi-
ton To some previously existing insii-
tuition. and that in addition To the par
ticular causes there are the general
conditions of society favorable to its
growth.
As the German invaders ovcrrln the
territory formerly held ny tho Romans
IA L.,
mans. ana those the Germans intro
duced rapidly adjusted themselves into
a common practice. so that the fcudal
system is one of the best illustrations
of German ana Roman factors together
forming a new institution. The Roman
Client system" and the German "comi-
tatus" each furnish customs which
were adopted in the practice of feudal-
ism.
The difference between feudalism and
the modern national state consists
chiefly in this-;hat the public duties
ana obligations which now citizen
owes TO the state We're under feudalism
due as personal services To some indi
vidual in return for land received from
him. The feudal state did not depend
upon it's inhabitants as citizens, but
upon certain individuals to perform
specific services for the King. ana these
il turn depended upon others for SER
vices which enabled them 10 discharge
their duties to the king.
The applications OF the feudal prn-
ciplc differed somewhat in France Eng
land, Germany and Italy. but the main
outlines which we shall describe are
common to all the countries of western
Europe.
LAND AND PERSONAL ELEMENTS.
In practice both the land and personal
elements of the complete fcudal system
We're not always Joined. We; quite often
enough To say that in the perfect feu
dial system the lord always gave the
Vassal land which was called the
"beneiicc" or 'ficf' This land element
established a bond OF mutual fidelity
ana protection which is the personal
relation.
ORIGIN OF THE FEDERAL. SYSTEM
In seeking the origin of the system we
must inquire how duties which are now
considered public-such as military ser
Nlcc-bccAmc private services which
We're paid as Il form Of rent for land.
Here il is evident that the roots OF tho
system extend back beyond the time
when the system itself was recognized
as existing. During the period of the
decline ana fall of the Roman empire
the ability of the government to pro-
tcct the citizens grew less and less.
Thoro was danger from invaders. from
laborerS in Instruction. rcvolted troops
and uSurping cmperorS, and the state
was too weak 10 maintain order Un-
der such circumstances there always
arise mon more OF less numerous who
by reason OF their wealth, rank al
abilities can defend themselves and Of
fer protection To the weak. The weaker
men clustering about the strong ones
add 10 their power. and thus here and
there are soon formed Independent
fragments OF the former state. These
are the germs of the foudal SYSTEM
small landowners being at a disad-
vantage found themselves threatened
with entire destruction and gave up the
title - their land to some large land
owner near them ana received the land
back to cultivate. The former owner
received protection and the full use al
tine land in exchange for the title: and
- long rs the new lord remained well
disposed toward him his actual condi-
,ion was much improved. lie was not
likely To be disturbed in his tenure. FOR
laborcrs were scarce: and. again when
attacked his lord had Il military force
to protect him. or he might take re-
fusc in tho castle which his lord had
built on an almost inaccessible hilltop.
The ruins which travellers find so in
torcsling along the Rhine and in va
rious parts of Germany and France are
those OF the strong fortrcSScS built by
feudal lords during these troublous
times. The necessity which caused them
to be built no longer exists and most OF
them are Crumbling to decay. Indeed
IN the eighteenth century many OF then
were attacked and demolished by tho
descendants of the peasants who had
chocrfully assisted in building them
When they We're built they meant safe
~ 30 the cultiVators of nciGhborine
lands. Centuries later. when social con
ditions We're changed, they seemed t.