Feudorum Libri

The Books of Feuds published during the reign of Henry HI., about the year 1152. The particular customs of Lombardy as to feuds began about that time to be the standard of authority to other nations, by reason of the greater refinement with which that branch of learning had been there cultivated. This compilation was probably known in England, but does not appear to have had any other effect than to influence English lawyers to the more critical study of their own tenures, and to Induce them to extend the learning of real property so as to embrace more curious matter of similar kind. “Thus, tenures in England continued a peculiar species of feuds, partaking of certain qualities in common with others; but when once established hpre, growing up with a strength and figure entirely their own. While most of the nations of Europe referred to the Books of Feuds as the grand code of law by which to correct and amend the imperfections in their own tenures, there is not in English law books any allusion that intimates the existence of such a body of constitutions.” 2 Reeves, Hist. Eng. Law 55. I