Feudalism-Origin/Growth/Structure

ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF FEUDALISM

Ø  The word feudalism was derived from the Latin word ‘feudum’ which means fief or land held on condition of service. This then lead to the medieval government pyramid-shaped feudal system. This system was based on the belief that all land belonged to god, but could be governed and managed by Kings by divine right.

Ø  The medieval era began with the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 CE. The breakup of the Carolingian Empire led to a general decline in law and order. In the absence of effective imperial control anarchy raised his ugly and monstrous head.

Ø  From France feudalism spread swiftly to the major European countries including Germany, Spain, Italy, Scandinavia, England, and Slavic countries. The urge to fight for more land and territories by the great countries of Europe led to hierarchy of European feudalism.

      STRUCTURE OF FEUDAL SYSTEM

1. THE MONARCH:

Ø    The King was the most powerful leader in the land and was in complete control of the land. He maintained his power and control by owning all the land in the country and deciding who he wanted to lease it to.

Ø     The King could not manage all of the land by himself, so he divided it up among the Lords. The King leased out land to people whom he trusted, so he made the Lords pledge their loyalty and soldiers to him.

2.1. CHURCH OFFICIALS:

Ø    The bishop was the head church leader in the Kingdom and played a very important role in the order of the feudal system. The Catholic Church was very powerful in most parts of Medieval Europe and this made the Bishop powerful as well.

Ø    Each person paid 10% of what they earned to the church. This is a tithe and it made some Bishops very wealthy.

2.2. NOBLES:

Ø    The nobles had the most power in the middle ages. They were Dukes and Barons. The main responsibility of a Duke was to be the ruler of a province. He was the highest ranking in nobility. The female equivalent of a Duke was a Duchess.

Ø     A Baron was responsible first to his King and second to his people who lived in his manor. The King might require the baron to serve in the military or engage in various activities.

3. KNIGHTS:

Ø    Knights were given land by a Lord in return for military service when demanded by the King. They were paid to fight for the Lord and King and protect the Lord’s family if the manor was under attack.

Ø    The knights were allowed a certain area of land for personal use and distributed the rest to peasants. Knights often trained for years to become a warrior.

4. SERFS/PEASANTS/VILLEINS/FREEMAN:

Ø    The term derives from Late Latin villanus, meaning a man employed at a Roman villa rustica, or large agricultural estate. A villein, otherwise known as cottar, crofter, is a serf tied to the land in the feudal system. Villeins had more rights and social status than those in slavery, but were under a number of legal restrictions which differentiated them from the freeman.

Ø    The serfs had no political power and were not allowed to have control over property. They lived on the property that a noble vassal or Lord owned. Peasants were given small amounts of spare land by Lord.

Ø     In order to repay the vassal for letting the serf live in his property, the serf is responsible for working the land and was at the disposal of the vassal. Serfs were also known as semi-slaves, as they were slaves in all but name.

Ø     In return they provided the Lord with unpaid labour, food and any service no matter the type, whenever it was needed. Peasants were poor and could often not afford food for themselves.

Ø     Peasants had no rights and were not allowed to leave the Lord’s land. They had to ask their Lord's permission before they could marry.

Ø    But few serfs were considered free people of freeman and were allowed to leave the Lord’s land whenever they wanted. They were skilled workers like builders or bakers etc. They did not own any possessions and were bound to their Lord and his land.