The State and Seigniorial Authority in Early German History
Gerhard. Seeliger
EVEN in our days the ownership of land brings with it political advantages many sorts. In earlier times this was much more case; indeed, landed property then often very basis for exercise rights. Especially true when lands accumulated a single hand, and therefore people outside circle family household had fallen into relation dependence toward owner thus relations seigniorial authority (Grundherrschaft) been formed. It is well known what comprehensive rights lords possessed period before extinction feudal patrimonial powers, era absolutism as that organization by estates realm: attaching to particular dependent on holder's position birth; power superior over his inferiors, joined right participation central government land. not purpose study follow these their development, individual variations generally uniform progress. rather my throw light few phases state periods German history-phases which have bearing much-discussed fundamentally important questions: question origin town territorial sovereignty. For problem growth sovereignty bound up whether part if so, measure; manorial law (Hofrecht), species developed estates, municipal law; methods employed larger domains passed those administration cities territories; short what, any, were older institutions government; became foundation whole devel-
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