o the yoke
of personal bondage which it entailed hated the system. Yet the whole
European world passed under feudalism. But notwithstanding its
universality, feudalism could offer nothing permanent, for in the
development of social order it was forced to yield to monarchy,
although it made a lasting influence on social life and political and
economic usage.

_There Are Two Elementary Sources of Feudalism_.--The spirit of
feudalism arises out of the early form of Teutonic social life. It
sprang from the personal obligation of the comitatus, which was
composed of a military leader and his followers or companions. The
self-constituted assembly elected the leader who was most noted for
courage and prowess in battle. To him was consigned the task of
leading in battle the host, which was composed of all the freemen in
arms. Usually {295} these chiefs were chosen for a single campaign,
but it not infrequently happened that their leadership was continuous,
with all the force of hereditary selection.

Another phase of the comitatus is represented by the leader's setting
forth in time of peace with his companions to engage in fighting,
exploiting, and plunder on his own account. The courageous young men
of the tribe, thirsting for adventure in arms, gathered about their
leader, whom they sought to excel in valor. He who was bravest and
strongest in battle was considered most honorable. The principal
feature to be noted is the personal allegiance of the companions to
their leader, for they were bound to him with the closest ties. For
the service which they rendered, the leader gave them sustenance and
also reward for personal valor. They sat at his table and became his
companions, and thus continually increased his power in the community.

This custom represents the germ of the feudal system. The leader
became the lord, the companions his vassals. When the lord became a
tribal chief or king, the royal vassals became the king's thegns, or
represented the nobility of the realm. The whole system was based upon
service and personal allegiance. As conquest of territory was made,
the land was parcelled out among the followers, who received it from
the leader as allodial grants and, later, as feudal grants. The
allodial grant resembled the title in fee simple, the feudal grant was
made on condition of future service.

The Roman element of feudalism finds its representation in clientage.
This was a well-known institut