symmetrical finish of the Roman institutions, although it was
introduced from French soil through overlordship and proceeded from the
sovereign to the serf, rather than springing from the serf to the
sovereign. It varied somewhat in characteristics from French
feudalism, although the essentials of the system were not wanting. In
the Scandinavian provinces the Teutonic element was too strong, and in
Spain and Italy the Romanic, to develop in these countries perfect
feudalism. But in France there was a regular, progressive development.
The formative period began in Caesar's time and ended with the ninth
century.

This was followed by the period of complete domination and full power,
extending to the end of the thirteenth century, at the close of which
offices and benefices were in the hands of the great vassals of Charles
the Bald. Then followed a period of transformation of feudalism, which
extended to the close of the sixteenth century. Finally came the
period of the decay of feudalism, beginning with the seventeenth
century and extending to the present time. There are found now, both
in Europe and America, laws and usages which are vestiges of the
ancient forms of feudalism, which the formal organization of the state
has failed to eradicate.

The autocratic practice of the feudal lord survived in the new monarch,
and, except in the few cases of constitutional limitation, became
imperialistic. The Prussian state, built upon a military basis,
exercised the rights of feudal conquest over neighboring states. After
the war with Austria, Prussia exercised an overlordship over part of
the smaller German {300} states, with a show of constitutional liberty.
After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the German Empire was formed,
still with a show of constitutional liberty, but with the feudal idea
of overlordship dominant. Having feudalized the other states of
Germany, Prussia sought to extend the feudal idea to the whole world,
but was checked by the World War of 1914.

_State of Society Under Feudalism_.--In searching for the effects of
feudalism on human progress, the family deserves our first
consideration. The wife of the feudal lord and her equal associates
were placed on a higher plane. The family in no wise represented the
ancient patriarchal family nor the modern family. The head of the
family stood alone, independent of every form of government. He was
absolute proprietor of himself and of all positions