Feudalism

Definition

Feudalism is a social, economic, and political system that dominated medieval Europe, characterized by the exchange of land for military service and loyalty. Under this system, lords owned large estates and granted portions of land, called fiefs, to vassals in return for their support and protection. This hierarchical structure created a web of obligations and allegiances among different classes, ultimately shaping the governance and economy of the time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Feudalism emerged in Europe after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire around the 9th century, as local lords sought to provide security and governance amidst chaos.
2. The system was marked by a rigid class structure, with kings at the top, followed by powerful lords, lesser nobles, and peasants or serfs at the bottom.
3. Military service was a core obligation in feudal relationships; vassals were expected to fight for their lords during conflicts, while lords provided land and protection.
4. The decline of feudalism began in the late Middle Ages due to factors like the rise of centralized monarchies, increased trade, and changes in military technology.
5. The Enclosure Movement in England during the 16th to 19th centuries further eroded feudal structures by privatizing common lands, pushing peasants into wage labor and altering agricultural practices.

Review Questions

• How did feudalism shape social hierarchy and relationships among different classes in medieval Europe?
  • Feudalism established a strict social hierarchy where kings held ultimate power, followed by lords who controlled land, vassals who served them, and peasants who worked the land. Each class had specific roles and obligations; lords provided land and protection to vassals in exchange for military service, while peasants were tied to the land and relied on their lords for security. This system created interdependent relationships that defined everyday life and governance during this period.
• Analyze how manorialism complemented feudalism and contributed to the economic structure of medieval society.
  • Manorialism operated alongside feudalism as an economic system centered on the lord's manor. It involved peasants working on the land owned by lords, providing them with agricultural produce in exchange for protection and a place to live. This relationship reinforced feudal obligations since lords relied on peasant labor for sustenance while ensuring their own wealth and power. Manorialism helped sustain feudal society by creating an agrarian economy reliant on local production.
• Evaluate the factors that led to the decline of feudalism and discuss its impact on societal transformations during the late Middle Ages.
  • The decline of feudalism resulted from several interconnected factors: the rise of centralized monarchies diminished local lord power; increased trade facilitated urbanization; and advancements in military technology reduced reliance on vassal armies. These changes allowed for more fluid social mobility as people moved to cities seeking opportunities outside rural feudal obligations. This shift contributed to the growth of a capitalist economy and paved the way for modern nation-states, fundamentally transforming European society.

Related terms

Vassal: A person who received a fief from a lord in exchange for loyalty and military service.

Manorialism: An economic system that accompanied feudalism, focusing on the lord's manor as the basic unit of economic life where peasants worked the land.

Serfdom: A condition of bondage in which peasants were tied to the land and required to serve their lords, typically in exchange for protection and the right to work a portion of land.