166
THE SAXONS IN ENGLAND.
[BOOK I.
band of ever-watchful defenders, existed as a gar-
rison near the disputable boundary of the Mark.
The Germania of Tacitus supplies us with a de-
tailed account of the institution of the Comitatus,
which receives strong confirmation on every point
from what we gather from other authentic sources.
In his own words :—
“ Illustrious birth or the great services of their
fathers give the rank of princes even to young
men : they are associated with the rest who have
already made proof of their greater powers. Nor is
there any shame in appearing among the comités1.
Moreover, the Comitatus itself has its grades, ac-
cording to the judgment of him they follow ; and
great is the emulation among the comités, as to
who shall hold the highest place in the estimation
of the prince, and among the princes, as to who
shall have the most numerous and the bravest
comités. This is dignity, this is power, to be ever
surrounded with a troop of chosen youths, a glory
in time of peace, and a support in war. Nor is it
only in their own tribe, but in the neighbouring
states as well, a name and glory, to be distinguished
for the number and valour of the comitatus; for
they are courted with embassies, and adorned with
presents, and keep off wars by their very reputa-
tion. When it comes to fighting, it is dishonour-
able for the prince to be excelled in valour, for the
comitatus not to equal the valour of the prince ;
but infamous, and a reproach throughout life, to
1 Thie very assertion proves that the position of the comes was, in
elf, inferior to that of the freeman.
СЯ. V∏.]
THE NOBLE ВУ SERVICE.
167
return from battle the survivor of the prince. To
defend and protect him, to reckon to his glory even
one’s own brave deeds, this is the first and holiest
duty. The princes fight for victory, the comités
for the prince. If the state in which they spring is
torpid with long peace and ease, the most of these
young nobles voluntarily seek such nations as may
be engaged in war, partly because inaction does
not please this race, partly because distinction is
more easy of attainment under ∙difficulties. Nor
can you keep together a great comitatus, save by
violence and war : since it is from the liberality of
the prince that they exact that war-horse, that
bloody and victorious lance. For feasts and meals,
ample though rude, take the place of pay. Wars
and plunder supply the means of munificence ; nor
will you so readily persuade them to plough the
land or wait with patience for the year, as to chal-
lenge enemies and earn wounds ; seeing that it
seems dull and lazy to acquire with sweat what
you may win with blood1.”
It would be difficult in a few lines to give any-
thing like so clear and admirable an account of the
peculiarities of the Comitatus, as Tacitus has left
us in this vigorous sketch ; and little remains but to
show how his view is confirmed by other sources
of information, and to draw the conclusions which
naturally result from these premises.
To the influence and operation of these associa-
tions are justly attributed not only the conquests of
the various tribes, but the most important modifi-
ɪ Mor. Germ, xiii. xiv.