128 History of the English Lafided Interest. 



Thej too held their courts (similar to the seignorial assem- 

 blies of the previous age), in which the business matters of the 

 estate were discussed side by side with the judicial matters 

 which we now associate with the more popular tribunals. 



Each barony was a miniature kingdom, with its varying 

 customs and laws ; a condition of affairs which urged its lord in 

 the direction of complete independence of the central authority, 

 and which left its tenantry wholly at the mercy of his despotic 

 will. 



But causes, happily, were at work, which counteracted 

 these evils. Though Continental countries became thus sub- 

 divided into numerous principalities, this tendency did not 

 reach any great lengths in England ; where the Crown was an 

 hereditary possession, and the bulk of the superior classes con- 

 stituted by the feudal system were still in the position of a con- 

 quering host, which had settled, sword in hand, amidst a hostile 

 and spirited population. The sparks of their smouldering 

 resistance yet lingered, and were quite sufficient to minimise 

 inter-class differences, since the highest as well as the lowest 

 constantly confronted this common danger, and needed a 

 common leader. Then, too, the determination of William to 

 be king as well as feudal lord, induced him to compel all land- 

 owners (mesne lords as well as tenants-in-chief) to take the 

 oath of fealty ; and the gathering on Salisbury Plain, consist- 

 ing, as it did, of 60,000 landed gentry, reminded the nation 

 that there was a greater personage than each man's immediate 

 lord, who had a claim on his obedience. 



But setting aside any comparison with Continental feudalism, 

 it is remarkable how isolated and monotonous the life of a 

 barony would become. The kingdom was split up into a few 

 great estates, whereon the owner resided in an immense forti- 

 fied castle, and wielded the power of a petty sovereignty, with 

 all the customary surroundings of courtiers and administrative 

 officials. The want of any regular occupation and excitement 

 drove him to marauding on other baronies, and finally, to 

 crusading abroad. Even the excitement of the chase waxed 

 tame at times ; and as for husbandry, it was beneath his con- 

 tempt. He was too untaught to take any delight in the fine 



