(618) (619) had in land, or some other immovable nings, grew up gradually into a vast body thing of his lord's, to use the same and of institutions, which prevailed throughout take the profits thereof hereditarily, renEurope for many centuries, and has left imdering unto his lord such feudal duties portant traces of its existence not only in and services as belonged to military tenthat continent, but in America. The naure, the mere property of the soil always ture and history of this system have been remaining unto the lord. Spelman, Feuds so often discussed that it will be sufficient & Tenures, c. 1. See Fee, Feod, Feud. to refer to the leading authorities on the **This word is used by Blackstone and subject. 2 Bl. Com. 44, chap. iv. 1 Steph. other writers, as the translation of the Lat. Com. 160, et seq. 3 Kent's Com. 487, feudum, in preference to the proper Englect. liii. Spelman, voc. Feodum. 1 Rolish word fee, apparently with the view of bertson's Charles V. 10, 12, and Appendix, more aptly distinguishing the original note viii. Esprit des Loix, liv. 30. 1 feudal grant or estate, from the fee of Hallam's Middle Ages, 80, et seq. Mr. modern law. As the English word feud, Spence's theory is, that the sources of the however, has long had a peculiar meaning feudal system are to be found in the relaof its own, (supra,) it would seem preferation of patron and client in the Roman ble to employ the Fr. fief as the translation provinces, and in the distinction between of feudum, especially where reference is dominium directum and dominium utile in had to the feudal law of the continent. the Roman law. 1 Spence's Chancery, 28, This is the term used by Dr. Robertson, in et seq. his History of Charles V. See Fief, Feodum.