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 In