at
display of power was essential for the chief, his exactions from the
vassals and all within his power were consequently heavy. This revenue
was obtained from heriots, fines, and tolls; which being arbitrary, the
amount depended on the want which called it forth, or on the conscience
of the chief. A heriot of the best horse, or certain head of cattle, or
a fine of so many marks, were payable to the Baron on the marriage or
death of his vassal, and on each fresh succession to the fief. These
exactions were not confined to the immediate vassals and villains, but
extended to the whole population within the limits of the Barony. The
towns were in this era small, consisting principally of villages, which,
as they were situate within some Barony, were equally subjected to fiscal
burdens. These, in addition to heavy fines demanded for any building,
liberty, or encroachment on the manor, consisted of tolls and duties
imposed on the exportation or importation of goods, and on the sale of
horses, cattle, or stock which, to increase the revenue, were prohibited
being sold outside the vills, or except in the fairs and markets there
licensed to be held, whereupon the tolls attached. By this means the
Baron raised a considerable revenue to support his power and state. But
as the Baron was more hostile to the trading community or the population
of towns, than to his own military vassals and tenants on the soil, as
being less serviceable to his warlike power, and more antagonistic to,
and discontented with his seignioral privileges,--he imposed on the
former heavier fiscal burdens, and spared no opportunity of oppressing
them with the most odious extortions. The military and mercantile
spirits have always been antagonistic and hostile, and the germs of that
great conflict which has since existed, and in recent times been so
grandly developed between the two elements, are plainly discernible in
this era--the cradle of its history.

But as the boroughs increased, the towns multiplied, and commerce
extended, an antagonistic principle or element to the powers and
privileges of the feudal nobility grew up. The reigning power having so
much cause for dread of the Barons, was desirous of conciliating the
burgher nobility, or the population of towns, and from time to time made
large concessions or grants in their favor. This was done as much to
foster a rival power or influence to the feudal nobility, as to win over
the towns to th