CHAP. IV. J 



FEUDAL CAVALRY. 



121 



military systems of the nations of Europe, merits some 

 consideration. 



It is certain that long before the invasion of the Roman 

 Empire, there existed among the Germans certain noble 

 or privileged classes or families. This is established by 

 Tacitus, who draws the distinction between the " nobiles," 

 or " principes," and the plebeian orders. Aristocratic 

 families, from which the chieftains of the tribes were 

 elected, are also alluded to continually in historical works. 



At first the German tribes, wandering in vast tracts of 

 forests, living mainly by the chase, and continually en- 

 gaged in war with neighbouring nations, did not value 

 property in land, which was then held in common. At 

 this period the young warriors were accustomed to band 

 themselves into military fellowships or companies, and to 

 elect one of their number as leader or general. This was 

 done by raising upon a shield, him who among them 

 was believed ,to possess in the highest degree the courage 

 and military skill required by a commander.^ Sometimes 

 a chief, already famous, and enjoying an exalted reputa- 

 tion, would gather around him an army of young men 

 attracted by his fame, who would enrol under his banner, 

 and grant him implicit obedience. These parties would 

 migrate, and invade other countries in search of land to 

 settle upon. The Suevi divided their nation into tens, 

 hundreds, and thousands, and the land was held in 

 common by the different districts or cantons. They also 

 sent out large parties, annually, to migrate in ' arch of 

 new fields, as bees swarm when the hive becomes over- 

 crowded. 



These hordes, whenever victorious, settled in the new 

 territory, and divided the land equally among the free-born 

 warriors. These grants were hereditary, and were termed 

 Allods, from Od, an estate ; their boundaries were carefully 

 marked, — and each owner dwelt within the limits of his 

 own estate.^ An Allod could not be sold without the 

 consent of the family, nor could the government confiscate 

 it for any wrong-doing of a present proprietor, who held 

 it, and the freedom it gave him, as an inalienable right. 

 ' Menzel, Part i. sec. ix. * Ibid. xiii. 



