Note 223 — Book VII.
John Beames translation
“The Normans, introducing their Feuds, settled the whole Inheritance of them upon the Eldest son, which the ancient feudal Law did not (as we before have noted) till feuds were grown perpetual. The reason, as I take it, that begat this alteration was, for that while the feud did descend in Gavelkynd to the sons and nephews of the feudatory, the services were suspended, till the Lord had chosen which of the sons he would have for his Tenant, and then it was uncertain, whether the party chosen would accept of the feud or not, for sometimes there might be reasons to refuse it.” (Spelm. Reliq. p. 43. See also 3 Litt. Hist. Hen. p. 122. and Robinson on Gavelkynd. 22.)