p. 98): _Si l'on appelle aucune chose
femme qui aura baron, et il la veut deffendre, il la peut deffendre de son
cors_, &c. Gradually the word seems to have come to mean a "strong or
powerful man," and thus generally "a magnate." Finally, in France in the
12th century the general expression _barones_ was introduced in a
restricted sense, as applied properly to all lords possessing an important
fief, subject to the rule of primogeniture and thus not liable to be
divided up, and held of one overlord alone. Sometimes it included
ecclesiastical lordships of the first rank. In the 13th century the
Register of King Philip Augustus places the _barones regis Francie_ next to
the dukes and counts holding in chief, the title being limited to vassals
of the second rank. Towards the end of the century the title had come to
mean that its bearer held his principal fief direct from the crown, and was
therefore more important than that of count, since many counts were only
mediate vassals. Thus the kings in granting a duchy or countship as an
apanage to their brothers or sons used the phrase _in comitatum et
baroniam_. From this period, however, the title tends to sink in
comparative importance. When, in the 14th century, the feudal hierarchy was
completed and stereotyped, the barons are ranked not only below counts, but
below viscounts, though in power and possessions many barons were superior
to many counts. In any case, until the 17th century, the title of baron
could only be borne by the holder of a territorial barony; and it was Louis
XIV. who first cheapened the title in France by creating numerous barons by
royal letters. This entire dissociation of the title from the idea of
feudal rights and obligations was completed by Napoleon's decree of March
1, 1808, reviving the ancient titles. By this instrument the title of baron
was to be borne _ex officio_ by a number of high officials, _e.g._
ministers, senators, councillors of state, archbishops and bishops. It was
given to the 37 mayors who attended the coronation, and could be claimed by
any mayor who had served to the emperor's satisfaction for ten years, and
by any member of an electoral college who had attended three sessions. The
title was made to descend in order of primogeniture to legitimate or
adopted sons and to the nephews of bishops, the sole condition being that
proof must be presented of an actual income of 15,000 fr., of which
one-third should descend with the title. T