[Gutenberg 58212] • The Noble and Gentle Men of England / or, notes touching the arms and descents of the ancient / knightly and gentle houses of england, arranged in their / respective counties.

Excerpt from The Noble and Gentle Men of England: Or Notes Touching the Arms and Descents of the Ancient Knightly and Gentle Houses of England, Arranged in Their Respective Counties

In those cases where the whole landed estate of the family has been dissipated, although the male line still remains, all notice is omitted, such families having no longer any claim to be classed in any county. For, ancient dignity was territorial rather than personal, the whole system was rooted in the land, and, even in the present day, though the land may have changed hands often, it has carried along with it some of that sentiment of regard attached to the lordship of it, as surely as its earth has the fresh smell which it gives when upturned by the husbandman.

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