government of a county or earldom.

His position did not exempt him from taxation, nor did his rank
descend to more than one of his children. In France, on the contrary,
the aristocracy were noble by birth, not office; they were generally
exempt from taxation, thus throwing the whole of that burden on the
people, and their rank descended to all their children.

During the Norman period a change was going on among the slaves, whose
condition gradually improved. On the other hand, many who had been
free now sank into that state of villeinage (S150) which, as it bound
them to the soil, was but one remove from actual slavery.

The small, free landholders who still existed were mostly in the old
Danish territory north of Watling Street (see map facing p. 32), and
in the county of Kent on the southeast coast of England.

150. Tenure of Land in the Norman Period; Military Service, Feudal
Dues, National Militia, Manors and Manor Houses.

All land was held directly or indirectly from the King on condition of
military or other service. The number of chief tenants who derived
their title from the Crown, including ecclesiastical dignitaries, was
probably about fifteen hundred. These constituted the Norman barons.
The undertenants were about eight thousand, and consisted chiefly of
the English who had been driven out from their estates.

Every holder of land was obliged to furnish the King a fully armed and
mounted soldier, to serve for forty days during the year for each
piece of land bringing 20 pounds annually, or about $2000 in modern