The office of civil governor was gradually but steadily usurped by the "shugo" lord, and his use of this position to effect feudal ties. The "shugo" was able to make his provincial power effective, not through his traditional administrative capacity like the earlier governors, but through the intermediary ties of vassalage with the samurai who had taken over the estate lands during the Nanboku-chō War, and with the samurai residing on public lands ("kokugaryo"). The "shugo" lords were both governors, having certain legitimate duties given to them by the Muromachi regime, and feudal lords attempting to enfeoff vassals.