The actors of the future drama acquired their several characters, and formed the tongues whereby their personalities should be expressed.
The qualities which render modern society different from that of the ancient world, were being impressed upon these nations by Christianity, by the Church, by chivalry, by feudal customs.

Then came a further phase.

After the nations had been molded, their monarchies and dynasties were established.

Feudalism passed by slow degrees into various forms of more or less defined autocracy.

In Italy and Germany numerous principalities sprang into pre-eminence; and though the nation was not united under one head, the monarchical principle was acknowledged.
France and Spain submitted to a despotism, by right of which the king could say, 'L'Etat c'est moi.' England developed her complicated constitution of popular right and royal prerogative.