This one is the more precious because it is capable of expanding.

In order that the small feudal patrimony to become the great national patrimony, it now suffices for the seigniories to be combined in the hands of a single lord, and that the king, chief of the nobles, should overlay the work of the nobles with the third foundation of France.
III.

Services and Recompenses of the King.
Kings built the whole of this foundation, one stone after another.
Hugues Capet laid the first one.

Before him royalty conferred on the King no right to a province, not even Laon; it is he who added his domain to the title.

During eight hundred years, through conquest, craft, inheritance, the work of acquisition goes on; even under Louis XV France is augmented by the acquisition of Lorraine and Corsica.