a Although many trace the origin of feuds to Roman law, in which many things can be found that correspond to the institution of feuds: yet no mention of this law or word is made in the Roman laws; so that it is more probable to attribute this law of feuds to the customs of the Lombards. Ch.

THE CUSTOMS OF FEUDS BEGIN: ^a

b Iacobus Cujacius conjectures this first book to be by Gerardus Niger: but his opinion does not please Franciscus Hotomanus, who thinks it is a medley or rhapsody collected from various authors. Ch.

AND FIRST, ^b

OF THOSE WHO CAN GRANT A FEUD; AND [WHO CANNOT:] AND HOW IT IS ACQUIRED AND RETAINED.

TITLE I.

c Hotomanus records that they are called princes or magnates by the Latins. There are those who think they are correctly called patricians, but the meaning of this word appears to be different. Ch.

Since we are about to treat of feuds: let us first see who can grant a feud. Indeed, an archbishop, bishop, abbot, abbess, [or] provost may grant a feud, if it has been their custom of old to grant a feud. A duke, marquis, and count may likewise grant a feud: who are properly called captains of the kingdom, or of the king. ^c There are also others who receive feuds from these: who are properly called valvassors of the king, or of the kingdom; but today they are called captains: who themselves also can grant feuds. But they themselves, who receive a feud from them, are called minor valvassors.