Feudalism
Western Europe suffered numerous hardships through the ninth and tenth centuries and this was the ultimate reason they established a new political organization which was known as feudalism. By providing honor, protection, and a sense of control, this new social system revived peace and order in Western Europe after the fall of the Carolingian Empire. Feudalism was a necessary ingredient to yield stability in during these times of calamity.
The primary motive behind creating this organization was to render protection to the people since the government was unable to do so. Instead of depending on the Government as their defense, people resorted to finding a powerful lord who could grant protection in exchange for services. The contract sworn by both the lord and the vassal became the foundation for this social organization, which would later be known as feudalism. This contract affirmed the loyalty of the vassals to their lord. This custom, known as vassalage, was first practiced by Germanic societies. Ultimately a vassal would fight for his lord and the lord...
T.H. White’s novel, “The Sword in the Stone,” took place in the Middle Ages, when feudalism was the dominant political structure and knighthood held a high prestige. Thus, White wrote the novel stemming from the theme of warfare. However, he combined the themes of Medieval warfare with the contemporary warfare of the early-to-mid 20th century, the time period in which the novel was written. As a result, the historical allegories can be drawn between episodes in the book and warfare in the 20th century, especially World War 2. The episodes of the pike and the ants reflect totalitarian, fascist, and communist views, respectively in that order, whereas the geese serves as a society absent of violence, therefore demonstrating White’s pacifist values
Politically, in the 1400's parts of Europe had a feudalistic government and feudal monarchies but over time Europe adapted to absolute monarchies, parliamentary monarchies, and nation-states. Economically, with feudalism declining, capitalism and mercantilism grew with the commercial revolution. In the arts, there was a change from the mostly religious art of the middle Ages to the Renaissance focus on realism, and humanistic ideas during the enlightenment revolution, also new scientific ideas during the scientific revolution. Politically, in the 1400's parts of Europe had a feudalistic government and some, feudal monarchies but over time Europe adapted to absolute monarchies, parliamentary monarchies, and nation-states. The dominant social system in Medieval Europe was feudalism, in which the nobility held land in exchange for military service, and vassals were tenants of the nobles, while the peasants were to live on their lord's land and give him labor, and a share of the produce, in exchange for military protection.
In northern Europe after the Middle Ages, monarchies began to build the foundations of their countries that are still in affect today. During the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries these “New Monarchs” made many relevant changes in their nations. During the middle of the fifteenth century Europe was affected by war and rebellion, which weakened central governments. As the monarchies attempted to develop into centralized governments once again, feudalism’s influence was lessened. This “new” idea of centralization was reflected in the monarch’s actions. Rulers tried to implement peace and restore the idea that the monarchy represented law and order in the nation. These New Monarchs were able to build armies due to taxation, and they enlisted the support of the middle class. The middle class was tired of the noble’s constant conflicts and demanded a change from feudalism. Instead, the New Monarchs turned to Roman law. Nations that were run by the New Monarchs include England, France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire.
Manorialism and Feudalism were weakened by the rise of merchant guilds, plague epidemics, and nationalism. The rise of merchant guilds facilitated long distance trade during the medieval period [1301 - 1500], and lasted into the 18th century. Guilds were social, political and economic organizations in medieval towns. They cared for social and economic welfare of members. Guilds assisted in the rise of new middle class. They enjoyed a trade monopoly in towns, allowed members to earn a living wage. Guilds bypassed or contravened feudalism and manorialism when they purchased self government charters for towns from nobles or started new towns.
In contrast in Germany, kings seem unable to keep a reign on their crown as well as their nobles and other officials. ("HISTORY OF FEUDALISM." HISTORY OF FEUDALISM. ) The structure seems to fall over due to the nobility’s places as second in the Feudalism structure. But in some cases the nobility actually had more money and power than the king himself. This and as well as the other problems discussed would eventually lead to taxing and ruling from a central place, slowly becoming the norm. But, although the system seems to fall apart its customs seem to be made use to other places.
Feudalism created alliances among peasants, landowners, and the nobility. Which provided the needs in life in a safer environment. Once centralized government was eliminated people were fearful of attack from invaders and from neighbors. Feudalism offered an objection of a castle because of military defense that was provided by a lords
Feudalism was a political system in which the lesser served the greater in return for land. Also, the Church had a great deal with the political side of the Middle Ages. “In time of chaos The Roman Catholic Church was the single, largest unifying structure in medieval Europe” (Doc. 3). In other words, the Church influenced all there was. In 800 CE Pope Leo named King Charlemagne the “Emperor of the Romans” (OI). This is a great example of how the Church had political power.
Feudalism is a system of land ownership and duties that were used in the Middle Ages. Under feudalism, all the land in a kingdom was the king's. However, the king would give some of his land to the lords or nobles who fought for him. Rulers in all society wanted to create law and order and ensure that people make good use of the society’s resources. That is why feudalism was created. Monarchs had to accept limits on their own personal power. They also needed to respond to expectations that other groups in society have a say in decision-making. People began to use medieval courts for problems that had previously been solved by trial by combat.
The feudal system was a political, military, and economic system based on the holding of land. The system was developed since the whole entire basis of rule from all the civilizations before the Middle Ages was lost. Early Europe was in desperate need of such a system since they were constantly being raided by the Vikings and other outsiders.
People in the Dark Ages were engulfed in the shadow of greatness of their predecessors, which 18th-century English historian Edward Gibbon called “barbarism and religion,” (History). Life in Europe during the Dark Ages were quite simple, as there was no efforts in unifying Europe, and the Catholic church was the only real body of power in Europe at this time. European societies were governed by feudalism, in which the king gives land to the nobles, while peasants worked on the land to live there in return. Little is actually known about this era, in that nothing significant was recorded, announcing it a “dark’ era. There was little to nothing significant about this time period in Europe, other than strong Catholic authority. A shift begins during this time period
The Feudal Revolution swept across Europe causing significant changes in the political landscape. The revolution began from middle 10th century and reached its peak around the 12th century. Feudalism was a contractual agreement among the upper classes by which a lord gave land to his men, vassals, in return for military services. Feudalism originated in Germany around 450 AD after Germanic tribes conquered Rome. Its origins were between the Rhine and Loire River. Feudalism soon spread to Italy, England, and most of central and eastern Europe. The numerous flaws of the feudal system such as subinfeudation and homage, would eventually lead to its downfall in 1660.
In the 16th century Europe was believed to be one of the most culturally developed and important regions of the world. The geographic formation of Europe served as the foundation of its so-called political and military success. Due to its “fractured [landscape] with [its] mountain ranges and large forests separating the scattered population centers in the valleys” (Kennedy, 1987:17) Europe existed in “political fragmentation,” (Kennedy, 1987:17) where pockets of societies ruled themselves. This “decentralized power” (Kennedy, 1987:17) sparked military and free-market arm races that forced societies to compete with each other and consequently, produce greater material wealth than that of other regions.
The Roman Catholic Church’s reputation in wealth and power furnished them with the ability to have a major impact over feudal society. Their wealth earned them great power and loyalty from the royals and citizens. Their power was used to restrict not only peasant folk but also nobles and the monarch in following the Catholic faith. This influenced everyone’s daily life and morals. The Church was similar to a government institution where it sustained its own laws and rights. This provided stability to the land as people have benevolent morals with the assistance of religion. Education from the Church has initiated structural learning which made a gradual end to the barbaric era (Dark Ages). The Church’s legacy gained them the medieval reputation from society and this has influenced the reputation of the Church today.
Federation is a word that describes the United States government. A Federal government is defined as the act of federalizing or joining separate organizations (Answers 1). In the United States, the three branches of government (1). In the Middle Ages most governments changed and rarely stayed the same for really long periods of time. Many things would happen in each country that would change the type of government that each one had. Especially, during the Middle Ages in Europe, things were changing quickly (Nelson 1). Feudalism was potentially becoming a rapid growing economic and social part of the European lifestyle in the Middle Ages.
Also called the middle ages, the medieval ages were influential in European history. It dates between the 5th and the 15th centuries of European history. The beginning of the period was marked by the collapse of Rome, while its end was marked by the end of Renaissance. The Roman Empire’s fall brought forth an idea of uniting Europe in what was called Christendom, which was based on the beliefs of the church. Features such as migration of people, invasions, population distribution, and deurbanization characterized this period.