Feudalism

Definition

Feudalism was a social and economic system that dominated medieval Europe, characterized by the exchange of land for military service and loyalty. In this hierarchical structure, kings granted land to nobles (lords) in return for their support, while peasants (serfs) worked the land and provided services in exchange for protection. This system deeply influenced political and economic changes during the late medieval period, shaping relationships among different social classes and affecting local economies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Feudalism emerged after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, providing a new social order based on land ownership and military service.
2. The king stood at the top of the feudal hierarchy, granting lands to lords who would then become his vassals and offer military support.
3. Peasants, or serfs, were bound to the land they worked on and could not leave without permission from their lords, creating a system of economic dependency.
4. The feudal system led to the development of manorial estates, where lords exercised control over the agricultural production and the local economy.
5. Feudalism began to decline in the late medieval period due to factors such as the growth of towns, increased trade, and changes in military technology.

Review Questions

• How did the hierarchical structure of feudalism shape relationships between different social classes in medieval Europe?
  • The hierarchical structure of feudalism created clear relationships among social classes, where kings granted land to nobles in exchange for loyalty and military service. Nobles acted as lords over their vassals, who were often lower-ranking knights or other nobles. At the bottom of this hierarchy were peasants or serfs, who worked the land in exchange for protection from their lords. This system created a network of obligations that defined how each class interacted with one another.
• Analyze how manorialism complemented feudalism in shaping local economies during the medieval period.
  • Manorialism complemented feudalism by establishing an economic structure that focused on agricultural production within a lord's estate. Lords provided land to serfs who cultivated it and paid rents or offered labor in return for protection and basic needs. This self-sufficient economy meant that local markets thrived on agricultural goods rather than long-distance trade. As manorial estates became more prosperous, they reinforced the power dynamics of feudalism by ensuring that lords had control over both the land and the workforce.
• Evaluate how changes during the late medieval period contributed to the decline of feudalism and what implications this had for European society.
  • Changes during the late medieval period, including urbanization, increased trade, and technological advancements in warfare, contributed significantly to the decline of feudalism. The rise of towns allowed for a new middle class to emerge, which diminished the power of traditional feudal lords. Additionally, as armies began to rely less on feudal knights and more on paid soldiers, the economic basis for feudal loyalty weakened. These shifts not only transformed social structures but also laid the groundwork for modern nation-states by promoting centralized governance over fragmented feudal allegiances.

Related terms

Vassal: A vassal was a person granted land (a fief) by a lord in exchange for loyalty and military service in the feudal system.

Manorialism: Manorialism was the economic structure that accompanied feudalism, focusing on the lord's manor and the agricultural production carried out by peasants.

Chivalry: Chivalry was a code of conduct associated with feudal knights, emphasizing values such as bravery, honor, and respect for women.