organized under Charlemagne.--Royal Authority.--Position of the Great
Feudalists.--Division of the Territory and Prerogatives attached to
Landed Possessions.--Freeman and Tenants.--The Læti, the Colon, the
Serf, and the Labourer, who may be called the Origin of the Modern Lower
Classes.--Formation of Communities.--Right of Mortmain.


Privileges and Rights (Feudal and Municipal)


Elements of Feudalism.--Rights of Treasure-trove, Sporting,
Safe-Conducts, Ransom, Disinheritance, &c.--Immunity of the
Feudalists.--Dues from the Nobles to their Sovereign.--Law and
University Dues.--Curious Exactions resulting from the Universal System
of Dues.--Struggles to enfranchise the Classes subjected to
Dues.--Feudal Spirit and Citizen Spirit.--Resuscitation of the System of
Ancient Municipalities in Italy, Germany, and France.--Municipal
Institutions and Associations.--The Community.--The Middle-Class Cities
(_Cités Bourgeoises_).--Origin of National Unity.


Private Life in the Castles, the Towns, and the Rural Districts


The Merovingian Castles.--Pastimes of the Nobles: Hunting,
War.--Domestic Arrangements.--Private Life of Charlemagne.--Domestic
Habits under the Carlovingians.--Influence of Chivalry.--Simplicity of
the Court of Philip Augustus not imitated by his Successors.--Princely
Life of the Fifteenth Century.--The bringing up of Latour Landry, a
Noble of Anjou.--Varlets, Pages, Esquires, Maids of Honour.--Opulence of