among our Saxon ancestors, signified the same with dukes or duces, denoting the commanders or leaders of their armies.

It appears, from Edward the Confessor's laws, that the military force of this kingdom was in the hands of the dukes or heretochs, who were constituted through every province and county in the kingdom, being selected out of the principal nobility, and such as were most remarkable for being sapientes, fideles, & animosi. Their duty was to lead and regulate the English armies, with a very unlimited power; and because of their great power, they were elected by the people in their full assembly, or folkmote, in the same manner as sheriffs were elected.