...lives of all who live in his kingdom." * He " owns the entire kingdom as well as all the people in it, so that all the men who are in his kingdom owe him service whenever his needs demand it."f These sentences would indicate that the author's position lies close to the verge of absolutism....

...and kingsmen find in the king's service and in binding themselves to his service with the housecarle name as their only title? (...) [The Father:] "I should...sensible man regard it a greater advantage to be in the king' full protection and friendship, (...) than to be a mere cotter who is constantly under the...