The Growth of the English Constitution from the Earliest Times

Chapter I

The Landesgemeinden of Uri and Appenzell—their bearing on
English Constitutional History—political elements common
to the whole Teutonic race—monarchic, aristocratic, and
democratic elements to be found from the beginning—the
three classes of men, the noble, the common freeman, and
the slave—universal prevalence of slavery—the Teutonic
institutions common to the whole Aryan family—witness
of Homer—description of the German Assemblies by
Tacitus—continuity of English institutions—English
nationality assumed—Teutonic institutions brought into
Britain by the English conquerors—effects of the settlement
on the conquerors—probable increase of slavery—Earls and
Churls—growth of the kingly power—nature of kingship—special
sanctity of the King—immemorial distinction between Kings
and Ealdormen—kingship not universal—names expressing
kingship—beginning of kingship in England—fluctuation between
Kings and Ealdormen—the kingly power strengthened by the
increase of the King’s territory—relations between the King
and the nation—power of the Witan—right of election and
deposition—growth of the kingly power by the commendation of
the chief men—the Comitatus as described by Tacitus—poem on
the Battle of Maldon—contrast of Roman and Teutonic feeling as
to personal service—instances of personal service in later
times—personal service and the holding of land not originally
connected—their union produces the feudal relation—growth
of the Thegns—they supplant the Earls—effects of the
change—change confirmed by the Norman Conquest Pp. 1-55