HISTORY OF ENGL AX1>.

6 H A. P. Low Countries, by the progress of the feudalin. institutions, were divided and subdivided intomany principalities and baronies; and the possessors,enjoying the civil jurisdiction within themselves,as well as the right of arms , acted in many respects,as independent sovereigns, and maintained theirproperties and privileges, less by the authority oflaws, than by their own force and valour. Amilitary spirit had universally diffused itselfthroughout Europe; and the several leaders ,whose minds were elevated by their princelysituation, greedily embraced the most hazardousenterprizes , and being accustomed to nothingfrom their infancy but recitals of the successattending wars and battles, they were promptedby a natural ambition to imitate those adventures,which they heard so much celebrated, and whichwere so much exaggerated by the credulity of theage. United, however loosely, by their duty toone superior lord, and by their connexions withthe great body of the community, to which theybelonged, they desired to spread their fame eachbeyond his own district; and in all assemblies,whether instituted for civil deliberations,for militaryexpeditions, or merely for show and entertainment,to outshine each other by the reputation of strengthand prowess. Hence their genius for chivalry;hence their impatience of peace and tranquillity;and hence their readiness to embark in any dangerousenterprize , how little soever interested in its failureor success.

William, by his power, bis courage* and