View of the State of Europe During the Middle Ages, Volume 1John Murray, 1872 - Europe |
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afterwards alodial ancient Anjou appear army Austrasia authority barbarian barons bishops called Cange capitularies century Charlemagne Charles the Bald Charles VII charters cities citizens civil Clovis conquest consent count court crown crusade death dominions Du Cange duke of Burgundy election emperor empire England established faction favor feudal fiefs Florence Franks Frederic French Gaul German Ghibelin Gregory of Tours Guelf Guienne Guizot Henry hereditary Hist historians Italian Italy king of France kingdom lands latter liberty Lombard lord Louis Louis XI Mably magistrates Marculfus ment Merovingian Milan military monarchy Muratori Naples nobility nobles Normandy Ordonnances des Rois Paris party perhaps Philip Philip Augustus Philip the Fair Pisa pope possession princes privileges provinces reign republic Roman Rome royal Salic says seems Sismondi sovereign sovereignty spirit succession tenants tenure territorial tion treaty usurpation vassals Velly Venice Villani Villaret writers
Popular passages
Page 171 - It was a breach of faith to divulge the lord's counsel, to conceal from him the machinations of others, to injure his person or fortune, or to violate the sanctity of his roof and the honour of his family. In battle he was bound to lend his horse to his lord when dismounted ; to adhere to his side while fighting, and to go into captivity as a hostage for him when taken. His attendance was due to the lord's courts, sometimes to witness and sometimes to bear a part in the administration of justice.
Page 324 - Scabiniis, quod ita et fecit. Et omnes in uno consenserunt, quod ipsi voluissent omni tempore observare usque in posterum. Etiam omnes Scabinii, Episcopi, Abbates, Comites manu propria subter signaverunt.
Page 454 - Hawkwood, therefore, appears to me the first real general of modern times ; the earliest master, however imperfect, in the science of Turenne and Wellington. Every contemporary Italian historian speaks ! with admiration of his skilful tactics in battle, his stratagems, his well-conducted retreats. Praise of this description, as I have observed, is hardly bestowed, certainly not so continually, on any former captain.
Page 99 - Liberty never wore a more unamiable countenance than among these burghers, who abused the strength she gave them by cruelty and insolence."— Hattam.
Page 194 - The prelates and abbots . . . were completely feudal nobles. They swore fealty for their lands to the king or other superior, received the homage of their vassals, enjoyed the same immunities, exercised the same jurisdiction, maintained the same authority as the lay lords among whom they dwelt.
Page 264 - ... the feudal spirit exerted its ameliorating influence. Violation of faith stood first in the catalogue of crimes, most repugnant to the very essence of a feudal tenure, most severely and promptly avenged, most branded by general infamy. The feudal law-books breathe throughout a spirit of honourable obligation. The feudal course of jurisdiction promoted, what trial by peers is peculiarly calculated to promote, a keener feeling and readier perception of moral as well as of legal distinctions.
Page 255 - No political institution can endure, which does not rivet itself to the hearts of men by ancient prejudice or acknowledged interest. The feudal compact had originally much of this character. Its principle of vitality was warm and active. In fulfilling the obligations of mutual assistance and fidelity by military service, the energies of friendship were awakened, and the ties of moral sympathy superadded to those of positive compact.
Page 442 - Excluding the old council of forty, a regular court of criminal judicature, not only from the investigation of treasonable charges but of several other crimes of magnitude, they inquired, they judged, they punished, according to what they called reason of state. The public eye never penetrated the mystery of their proceedings ; the accused...
Page 62 - Chandos, and Lancaster. On the French side, especially after du Guesclin came on the stage, these had rivals almost equally deserving of renown. If we could forget, what never should be forgotten, the wretchedness and devastation that fell upon a great kingdom, too dear a price for the display of any heroism, we might count these English wars in France among the brightest periods in history.
Page 264 - ... one and supplied the other. In the reciprocal services of lord and vassal, there was ample scope for every magnanimous and disinterested energy. The heart of man, when placed in circumstances which have a tendency to excite them, will seldom be deficient in such sentiments.