Feudal system

Definition

The feudal system was a social, economic, and political structure that dominated medieval Europe, characterized by a hierarchy of lords, vassals, and serfs. In this system, land was the primary currency of power, with lords granting land (fiefs) to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty. The system created a web of obligations and allegiances that structured society and influenced the distribution of resources and power.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The feudal system emerged around the 9th century and became the dominant social structure in Europe during the Middle Ages.
2. At the top of the feudal hierarchy was the king, who granted large estates to powerful nobles or lords in exchange for their loyalty and military service.
3. Vassals would often have their own vassals, creating a complex network of allegiances that could span across regions.
4. Serfs, who made up the majority of the population, worked the land for their lords and had limited rights, usually tied to the manor where they lived.
5. The feudal system began to decline in the late Middle Ages due to factors such as the rise of towns and trade, centralization of power by monarchies, and changes in warfare.

Review Questions

• How did the feudal system shape social relationships and obligations among different classes in medieval Europe?
  • The feudal system established a clear hierarchy with defined roles and responsibilities among lords, vassals, and serfs. Lords granted land to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty, creating a bond of obligation that was fundamental to medieval society. This relationship ensured mutual support during conflicts but also reinforced social stratification as serfs remained bound to the land they worked, unable to escape their status.
• Discuss the economic implications of the feudal system for rural communities during the Middle Ages.
  • The feudal system fundamentally shaped economic life in rural communities by tying peasants to the land they worked through serfdom. Serfs provided agricultural labor in exchange for protection and a place to live but were often denied personal freedom. This system created a largely self-sufficient economy on manors, where goods were produced locally rather than through trade. However, it limited social mobility and economic growth since serfs had little opportunity to engage in commerce or improve their circumstances.
• Evaluate how changes in warfare and political power influenced the decline of the feudal system by the late Middle Ages.
  • The decline of the feudal system can be attributed to significant changes in warfare, particularly with the introduction of more advanced weaponry and professional armies. As monarchs centralized power and built standing armies, they increasingly relied on paid soldiers instead of feudal levies. This shift diminished the importance of vassalage since kings could bypass local lords for military support. Additionally, urbanization and trade growth allowed peasants to seek opportunities outside their manorial obligations, further weakening the grip of feudalism on society.

Related terms

Vassal: A person who received a fief from a lord and, in return, pledged loyalty and military support to that lord.

Serfdom: A condition of servitude in which peasants worked the land for lords and were bound to the estate, unable to leave without permission.

Manorialism: The economic system that governed rural life in the Middle Ages, focused on the lord's manor as the center of agricultural production and local governance.