And this, quite naturally, grew up feudal France, when the new comers, settled in their new abodes, were no more swayed or hampered by the vain attempt to re-establish the Roman empire.
The consequences of such a state of things and of such a disposition of persons were rapidly developed.

Territorial ownership became the fundamental characteristic of and warranty for independence and social importance.

Local sovereignty, if not complete and absolute, at least in respect of its principal rights, right of making war, right of judicature, right of taxation, and right of regulating the police, became one with the territorial ownership, which before long grew to be hereditary, whether, under the title of _alleu (allodium)_, it had been originally perfectly independent and exempt from any feudal tie, or, under the title of benefice, had arisen from grants of land made by the chieftain to his followers, on condition of certain obligations.

The offices, that is, the divers functions, military or civil, conferred by the king on his lieges, also ended by becoming hereditary.

Having become established in fact, this heirship in lands and local powers was soon recognized by the law.