FELONY. Acts involving forfeiture were styled felonies in feudal law, although they had nothing of a criminal character about them. A breach of duty on the part of the vassal, neglect of service, delay in seeking investiture, and the like were felonies; so were injuries by the lord against the vassal. In English law, crimes are usually classified as treason, felony, misdemeanour and summary offence. Some writers—and with some justice—treat treason merely as a grave form of felony, but owing to legislation in and since the time of William and Mary, the procedure for the trial of most forms of treason differs from that of felony. It may be generally stated that a crime is a felony, which, either by common law or by statute is punishable by death and forfeiture of property, or, whatever the punishment, has been declared to be one by act of parliament. (See CRIMINAL LAW ; MISDEMEANOUR;