To form an idea of them in their totality we must always imagine the count, bishop or abbot of the tenth century as sovereign and proprietor in his own canton.

The form which human society then takes grows out of the exigencies of near and constant danger with a view to local defense.

By subordinating all interests to the necessities of living, in such a way as to protect the soil by fixing on the soil, through property and its enjoyment, a troop of brave men under the leadership of a brave chieftain.

The danger having passed away the structure became dilapidated.

For a pecuniary compensation the seigniors allowed the economical and tenacious peasant to pick off it a good many stones.