Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Rise and fall of feudalism in Europe
The rise and fall of feudalism
The rise Feudalism
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Rise and fall of feudalism in Europe
While the feudal system did not disappear for some 30 years after unification, both feudalism and a more modern-day rule of law would always be subject to interpretation. Legal scholar and philosopher Dennis Patterson concisely points out there are two prevailing camps standing at opposites: Those who argue that the interpretation of law is solely objective versus those who see it in terms of subjectivity (671). Assuming that passions during the time of Sicily’s turbulent unification were predicated more on subjectivity than objectivity, it becomes understandable that Don Fabrizio was caught in a historical trajectory not of his own choosing.
Unification established a new order as well as a convoluted manner by which the law was carried out. The new professional magistrate was typically comprised of former Sicilian nobles who sided with moneyed interests and could not be bothered with the notion of “blind justice.” (Lupo 34) It was left to the police, or gendarmerie, which were seemingly incapable of maneuvering among a range of divergent groups, factions, bandits as well as promine...
In the book, Giovanni and Lusanna, by Gene Bucker, he discusses the scandalous actions of a Florentine woman taking a wealthy high status man to court over the legality of their marriage. Published in 1988, the book explains the legal action taken for and against Lusanna and Giovanni, the social affects placed on both persons throughout their trial, and the roles of both men and women during the time. From the long and complicated trial, it can be inferred that women’s places within Florentine society were limited compared to their male counterparts and that women’s affairs should remain in the home. In this paper, I will examine the legal and societal place of women in Florentine society during the Renaissance. Here, I will argue that women were the “merchandise” of humanity and their main objective was to produce sons.
“I’ll be out of here and away from all you knaves for one time anyway, as not a month will pass before you’ll see whether I’m nobody or a somebody.” The story of Bianco Alfani reflected the nature of 14th century Florentine society where, as Alfani remarked, the election to public office could make or destroy a person. In late 14th century and early 15th century Florence, decreased population and expanding commerce provided a favorable environment for ambitious individuals. The real life examples of Buonaccorso Pitti and Gregorio Dati demonstrated the positive role of ambition in Florence. Pitti, a nobleman had an extremely successful career, partaking in military campaigns, holding public office in Florence and being an ambassador to foreign courts. Gregorio Dati, the grandson of purse venders, engaged in commerce, rising in social standing which culminated with his election to public office. Holding office was a definitive sign of success and recognition in Florence. In contrast was the tale Bianco Alfani, a deemed man unworthy of office. As told by Piero Veneziano, Alfani was the chief jailor in Florence who was duped into believing he had been named captain of the town of Norcia. Alfani publicly made a fool of himself, spending all his money and creating a great fanfare over his supposed appointment. Comparing the lives of Pitti and Dati to the story of Bianco Alfani illustrates how economic and social change in 14th century Florence produced a culture centered on reputation and commerce. For men like Pitti and Dati, who flourished within the constraints of Florentine society, their reward was election to office, a public mark of acceptance and social standing. Those who were ambitious but failed to abide by the values o...
European feudalism was based on contract and Japanese feudalism was based on personal relationship with the lord and vassal. This helps prove that the differences between European and Japanese feudalism made limited government more likely to develop in the West because a contract limits what the lords and vassals could do. William, the king of English, said, “I command you [the vassal] to summon all those who are under your charge......and bring ready with you those five knights that you owe me[.]”1 This helps prove that European feudalism was based on contract because when you owe someone something, it implies an agreement. The key terms are I command you and owe. The vassal has to send troops because he has to. He is under the rule of his lord. The lord tells his vassal that “[H]e will perform everything [that] was in [their] agreement [because] [he] submitted himself to him and chose his will.”2 This helps prove that European feudalism was based on a contract because a contract implies an agreement. The vassal chose the lord himself, so therefore, the vassal is under the lord's rule and needs to follow the agreement. On Japan's view of feudalism, their feudalism wasn't based on contract. On page 122 and 124 of The Tale of Heike, it implies personal relationships with the lord and vassal. “Despite his predicament, [the lord] still thought of [his vassal].”3 When the lord dies, the vassal kills himself saying, “For whom do I have to fight now?”4 This helps prove that Japanese feudalism was based on a personal relationship with lord and vassal because the lord and vassal actually cared for each other. Even through major problems, the lord and vassal's actions showed how close their relationship was with each other. Also on page 5...
Ginsborg P (1990). ‘A History of Contemporary Italy: Society and Politics: 1943-1980’ Published by Penguin; Reprint edition (27 Sep 1990).
After five hundred years, Niccolo Machiavelli the man has ceased to exist. In his place is merely an entity, one that is human, but also something that is far above one. The debate over his political ideologies and theories has elevated him to a mythical status summed up in one word: Machiavelli. His family name has evolved into an adjective in the English language in its various forms. Writers and pundit’s bandy about this new adjective in such ways as, “He is a Machiavelli,” “They are Machiavelli’s,” “This is suitable for a Machiavelli.” These phrases are almost always the words of a person that understands more about Niccolo’s reputation than the man himself. Forgotten is that Machiavelli is not an adequate example of the ruler he is credited with describing; a more accurate statement would be to call someone a “Borgia” or a “Valentino.” Most of the time they are grossly mistaken in their references. All these words accomplish is to add to the legend, and the misinterpretation, of the true nature of Niccolo Machiavelli.
Benston, Alice N. "Portia, the Law, and the Tripartite Structure of The Marchant of Venice." "The Merchant of Venice". Critical Essays.
Samuel Preus’s article “Machiavelli’s Functional Analysis of Religion: Context and Object”, written in 1979, places Machiavelli’s “understanding of religion as typical” in Renaissance Florence. He argues that for Machiavelli, “religion was something that demanded scrupulous attention, but its importance derived from its impact on the causes of men’s actions, not from its truths.” Machiavelli’s “religion” was a broad term embracing all human attitudes and actions occurring with reference to a divine order… “Depending on circumstances, religion could function as social glue or lubricant in others when Machiavelli wished to inaugurate new laws.” Machiavelli argued that religion should not only maintain the status quo, but could also be called upon to authorize major innovations and new institutions. Machiavelli’s attack on the pope in the Discourses places him in close proximity to the Reformers, making Machiavelli almost a pre-Reformer. The religion the Papacy offered, subverted Florentine republicanism and liberty. Preus sums up his article by naming Machiavelli a methodological atheist and his writings on God and religion fall into the ironic trend of Machiavellian
During the late 1800's Italy became one of the most overcrowded countries in Europe. Many Italians began to consider the possibility of leaving Italy to escape the new low wages and high taxes. For centuries the entire Italian peninsula was divided into quarreling states, with foreign powers often controlling several states. In this chaotic situation, the feudal system ruled above the economic system, leaving money only in the hands of a select few (Wikepedia.com, 2007).
William Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III’ presents a kingdom in turmoil, largely due to the Fascist ideals of the King’s brother, Richard. In this essay I will explore how Richard, the titular character represents the ideals of Fascism, mainly in the Italian style. These include; encouraged Nationalism and Patriotism, Disregard of human rights, Militant supremacy, Manipulation, Heavy punishment and fear mongering. I will go on to discuss how a monarchy and the role of kingship can affect these theories.
In times of need the church and religion provided hope for people in trouble, eventually creating feudalism. Many things such as feudalism depended on the Great Chain of Being, such as most of the peasants in the middle ages. The Great Chain of Being says that not all things are created equal and that everything has its own place that cannot be changed. Feudalism is based off of the Great Chain of Being where it is unfair but every layer depends on every other layer. In times of need, people looked to religion for help. Because of their role as a religious place, they could provide comfort to families such as ones with a loved one who got sick, but they could never cure the person (Richardson). The church was outside of the feudalism system, having social mobility. Anyone
Print. The. Weisberg, Richard H. "Antonio's Legalistic Cruelty: Interdisciplinarity And The Merchant Of Venice'." College Literature 25.1 (1998): 12.
At that time, the police was the hero of the world, the social order was relatively good. ; at that time, unlike the case so complex at today’s world,
Hieronimo is a symbol for the authority of law within The Spanish Tragedy. From his soliloquy in act III scene II, one can see Hieronimo’s ambiguity in deciding whether to pursue either justice or revenge. It could be argued that Hieronimo’s actions and concerns change throughout the course of the play by the wills of others and not his own desires; thus representing the failed authority of the law. This can be shown by analysing Hieronimo, Bel-imperia, the Gods, Lorenzo and the Law.
KEVIN AQUILINA, THE NATURE AND SOURCES OF THE MALTESE MIXED LEGAL SYSTEM: A STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE?
Although scholars dispute its roots, Feudalism was mostly seen in Frankish lands around the 9th and 10th century. ("Feudalism: History of Feudalism in Europe." Infoplease.) The system was first introduced as a means of protection for the king. However, as time grew the opportunity to use it as means of exchange for services between the king and vassal was found. Instead of just forcing people into the king’s army the idea of giving fiefs to those who would pledge their life to service the king was decided on. Likewise, vassal, or the knights saw the advantages they had that could be used to their advantage.