2. bryce notes that federalism allows local governments to experiment in legislation and administration without risking the fate of the nation as a whole. is this kind of separation necessarily good? does bryce overlook many of the costs of federalism?

This separation is good because it allows states to experiment with policies which can be replicated nationwide if found to work. This is good because it limits the misuse of resources which would occur if bad policies were adopted nationwide.  

Bryce certainly overlooks some of the shortcomings of federalism such as the tension that can potentially arise when the federal and regional governments fight for power

although the crusades failed to capture jerusalem, they had several major impacts on western europe. they increased the authority of the king: sometimes nobles died in battle without leaving an heir in which case the king got their land. kings passed taxes to pay for the crusades.