CHAP. IV.] 



FEUDAL CAVALRY. 



123 



presidents, who were formerly elected over each province 

 by the popular vote of the assembly, were under the 

 monarchy appointed by the king. The chief officer of 

 the province was known by the title of Graf or Count 

 (comes), and he commanded the contingent furnished by 

 the Gau in time of war. When the kingdoms increased 

 largely, including subdued nations, these latt'jr were 

 sometimes allowed to retain their former rulers, on con- 

 dition of furnishing contingents in the field. This gave 

 rise to the ducal dignity. 



The state was thus divided into dukedoms, provinces, 

 and hundreds. The army consisted of the whole nation, 

 and was commanded by the chief men of the hundreds, 

 by the Grafs or chiefs of provinces, by the Dukes, and 

 over all by the king.' The army was a militia pure and 

 simple, and there was no standing force. When the 

 nation was summoned for an assembly to discuss affairs 

 of state in time of peace, it was called the Arimannia, 

 from mamiire, to cite. When brought out for war it was 

 called the arriere-ban, or Heerbann (from Heer, an army, 

 and bannire, to summon). The orders proceeded from 

 the monarch to the dukes, from them to the counts, from 

 them to the centners or chiefs of hundreds, who com- 

 municated them to those under them. Each man 

 followed to the wars the same chief who governed him 

 in time of peace. The discipline was well maintained, 

 and the punishment for offences severe. 



The allodial freemen had many privileges. They were 

 exempt from taxation and from the compulsory labour 

 which was required of tributary subjects. They assisted 

 in the proceedings of justice, and had their share of 

 legislative authority in the general assembly of the 

 people.^ They had the liberty of carrying arms and 

 using them to avenge injuries, and they paid no perma- 

 nent ground rent as did the subjected Romans who held 

 lands. In return for all these advantages, the free land- 

 holder was compelled to serve in the Heerbann, during 

 which service he had an undisputed right to his share of 

 the general plunder. He had also to furnish horses and 



^ Menzel, Part i. sec. Ixxv. - Lbwy, 4, 5. 



