in its completeness, by William I., A. D. 1085.. though it may have existed in a rudimentary form among the Naxons before the Conquest. _ It formed the entire basis of the real-property law of England in medieval times; and survivals of the system, in madern days, -so modify and color that branch of jurisprudence, both in England and America, that many of its principles require for their complete understanding a knowledge of the feudal system. The feudal system originated in the relations of a military chieftain and his followers, or king and nobles, or lord and vassals, and especially their relations as determined by the bond established by a grant of land from the former to the latter. From this it grew into a complete and intricate complex of rules for the tenure and transmission of real estate, and of correlated duties and services; while, by tying men to the land and to those holding above and below them, it created a close-knit hierarchy of persons. and developed an aggregate of social and political institutions. Eor an account of the feudal system in its juristic relations, see 2 Bl. Comm. 44; 1 Steph. Comm. 160; 3 Kent, Comm. 487; Spel. Feuds; Litt. Ten.; Sull. Lect.; Spence,

L. Lat. A feud, fief, or fee. A right of using and enjoying forever the lands of another, which the lord grants on condition that the tenant shall render fealty, military duty, and other services. Spelman.

er subsidies to which the plebeia feuda (vulgar feuds) were subject. Spelman.—-Feudum hau-