214 A TOUR ROUND NORTH WALES. 



tion for the murder of a found-bodied 

 flave.* 



The Britifh Princes, and other Lords 

 of particular territories, were owners 

 in capite^ of all their lands, and fovereign 

 Lords of all their fiibjecls and bondf- 

 men, to whom they diftributed feveral 

 townfhips and hamlets, to be holden by 

 particular tenures, and fubjecl to fuch 

 terms and conditions as the beftowers 

 thought fit to impofe. Thefe tenants 

 were either free natives, or the better 

 fort of vaflals, or they were perfect 

 flaves. The free natives were thofe who 

 had fome degree of freedom, who might 

 go where they pleafed, had the power 

 of buying and felling, and pofTefled fe- 

 veral immunities ; but the others formed 

 part of the property of their Lords, and 

 could be difpofedof as they pleafed. They 



* Leges Wallicae. 



f Or in chief, holding their lands as tenants under the 

 Kine, or Prince of the country. 



had 



