First, It is plain he gets no power by his conquest over
those that conquered with him. They that fought on his side
cannot suffer by the conquest, but must at least be as much
freemen as they were before. And most commonly they serve upon
terms, and on condition to share with their leader, and enjoy a
part of the spoil, and other advantages that attend the
conquering sword; or at least have a part of the subdued country
bestowed upon them. And the conquering people are not, I hope,
to be slaves by conquest, and wear their laurels only to shew
they are sacrifices to their leaders triumph. They that found
absolute monarchy upon the title of the sword, make their heroes,
who are the founders of such monarchies, arrant Draw-can-sirs,
and forget they had any officers and soldiers that fought on
their side in the battles they won, or assisted them in the
subduing, or shared in possessing, the countries they mastered.
We are told by some, that the English monarchy is founded in the
Norman conquest, and that our princes have thereby a title to
absolute dominion: which if it were true, (as by the history it
appears otherwise) and that William had a right to make war on
this island; yet his dominion by conquest could reach no farther
than to the Saxons and Britons, that were then inhabitants of
this country. The Normans that came with him, and helped to
conquer, and all descended from them, are freemen, and no
subjects by conquest; let that give what dominion it will.
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