CHAP. VII.] 



DECLINE OF FEUDALISM. 



191 



the tie between the lord and his vassal to be of the closest 

 character and mutually advantageous. Afterwards, when 

 private wars ceased, and the authority of the kings became 

 paramount, the tenants felt keenly the burden of their 

 tenure, and no longer required the protection of the chief, 

 which formerly had been so valuable a privilege. 



The rise of chivalry, as we have seen, tended to prevent 

 these petty struggles, and the Crusades closely following 

 the institution of the order, gave a vent to the warlike 

 feelings of the age, and combined all Christian nations 

 against a common enemy. The great nobles, who led 

 their vassals to the Holy Land, were not followed through 

 any obligation arising out of the feudal tenure. They 

 were simply the chiefs *^of bands of volunteers or ad- 

 venturers,' and the richer knights equipped and main- 

 tained those of their folio i'ers who were too poor to 

 support themselves. The expenses incurred in these ex- 

 peditions impoverished the noble families, and ruined 

 many of them, compelling them to sell their estates, either 

 to provide means to equip their soldiers before setting 

 out, or to repay debts incurred while abroad. 



The Crusades lasted two hundred and fifty years, and 

 during that period it is manifest that the feudal 

 principle could not fail to be impaired by a state of affairs 

 so hostile to its existence. The lower classes were 

 gradually elevated, in proportion as the powerful families 

 lost wealth and influence, and the monarchical principle, 

 gaining in strength, consolidated itself. 



The cities, increasing in population and wealth, soon 

 began to feel their strength in the embarrassments and 

 needs of the nobles. ^ They soon obtained great liberties 

 by gradual encroachments, and by 'concessions purchased 

 at high price from their impoverished feudal chiefs. 

 Charters were granted, by both the king and the barons, 

 to many of these communities, and by the end of the 

 thirteenth century the custom had prevailed all over 

 France. The cities of Italy had gained their liberties at 

 an earlier period. 



The kings, to secure in their favour the influence of the 

 ' Bardin, 1761. 2 Hallam, i. 255. 



