34 THE SAXONS IN ENGLAND. [book i.
hereafter ; they will furnish a strong confirmation
of what has been advanced in this chapter as to
the probability of an early and wide dispersion
of Teutonic settlers in Britain.
35
CHAPTER IL
THE MARK,
All that we learn of the original principle of
settlement, prevalent either in England or on the
continent of Europe, among the nations of Ger-
manic blood, rests upon two main foundations;
first, the possession of land ; second, the distinction
of rank ; and the public law of every Teutonic tribe
implies the dependence of one upon the other
principle, to a greater or less extent. Even as he
who is not free can, at first, hold no land within the
limits of the community, so is he who holds no
land therein, not fully free, whatever his personal
rank or character may be. Thus far the Teutonic
settler differs but little from the ancient Spartiate
or the comrade of Romulus.
The particular considerations which arise from the
contemplation of these principles in their progres-
sive development, will find their place in the seve-
ral chapters of this Book : it deals with land held
in community, and severalty ; with the nature and
accidents of tenure ; with the distinction and privi-
leges of the various classes of citizens, the free, the
noble and the serf ; and with the institutions by
which a mutual guarantee of life, honour and peace-
ful possession was attempted to be secured among
D 2