have argued for him out of the Feudal Law, by which all Inheritances of Fiefs descend to the Male Issue only, and not to the Female, who are not admitted to them.  And when there happens a Want of Heirs Males in that Line or Branch wherein the Fief is lodged, then the Feudum or Fief returns back to the other Stock or Branch:  which was the very Case at that Time.  But such Fiefs as thro’ a Depravation of the Law, are convey’d down to Women, cannot properly be called Feuda, but Feudastra, as in other of our Writings we have made it appear.

* * * * *

CHAP.  IX.

    Of the Right of Wearing a large Head of Hair peculiar to
    the Royal Family.

It will not be amiss in this Place to give some Account of a Custom of our Ancestors, relating to the Hair worn by the Royal Family:  For ’tis recorded, that our Forefathers had a particular Law concerning it; viz. That such as were chosen Kings by the People, or were of the Regal Family, shou’d preserve their Hair, and wear it parted from the Forehead, on both Sides the Head, and anointed with sweet Oyl, as an Ornament and peculiar Mark of their being of the Royal Family; whilst all other Persons, how nobly born soever, had no right to wear a large Head of Hair; but were obliged to go with their Heads shorn or shaved, upon the Account (as ’tis probable) that they shou’d be more ready and expedite in their continual military Exercises, as the Roman Histories tell us of Julius Caesar, and several others. Aimoinus lib.  I cap. 4. says—­“The Franks chusing for themselves a King, according to the Custom of other Nations, raised, Pharamond to the Throne, to whom succeeded his Son Clodio crinitus; For at that Time the Kings of the Franks wore large Heads of Hair.  Also lib. 3. cap. 61. Gundoaldus being brought up by his Mother after the regal Manner, wore a long Head of Hair, according to the Custom of the ancient Kings of the Franks.”  In like Manner Agathius, lib. de Bell.  Goth.  I. where he speaks of Clodoveus, one of our Kings, who was taken in Battel by the Burgundians, (he calls him Clodamirus).  “As soon (says he) as his Horse had thrown him, the Burgundians espying his large Head of Hair, which fell back over his Shoulders, presently knew him to be the Enemy’s General; for ’tis not lawful for the Kings of the Franks to cut off their Hair, but even from their Childhood they remain untrimm’d, and always keep a large Head of Hair hanging low down upon their Backs.”  And we have many Instances that it was our Ancestors Custom, whenever they either deprived any one of the Crown, or took away all Hopes of obtaining the Kingdom, to cut off his Head of Hair. Aimoinus in the same Place—­“He earnestly beholding him, commanded his Hair to be cut