The French Feudal System

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The rule of King Charlemagne in France flourished with his leadership and people could live well under a stable monarchy. After he passed away, the empire fell apart during the ninth and tenth centuries as the monarchy lost its power while the lords rose into power. It started because of an unfit ruler who was indecisive, who then split the kingdom into three. France was also affected by the non-unification of the Church due to the Church leaders wanting independence. Lords recognized this and started conquering land. By the eleventh century, the feudal system gave lords control over vassals both politically and economically, which resulted in injustice when the lords did not honor their side of their agreement.
The system of lord and vassal …show more content…

With the kingdom of France divided into smaller jurisdictions, the lords, dukes, counts, viscounts, bishops, and minor lords controlled a large portion of France, while the king of France only ruled the territory around the cities of Orleans and Paris. This led to a political structure called feudalism. Feudalism was necessary due to decline of the king as it provided political, military, and judicial. The lords held lands from the king in exchange for military service and then lords granted the vassals dominion over manors. In return, vassals pledged themselves to these lords for land, or power over manors. In the Agreement Count William of Aquitaine and Hugh IV of Lusignan, it states, “I shall do all that you command me” (105). These …show more content…

This was called manorialism. Manors were self-sufficient and of the all economic activity occurred in the manor. The manors were worked by serfs who are generally farmers who were tied to the land. Serfs were not slaves because they could not be bought or sold, but serfs could not readily leave the manor either. Serfs were given land to farm in exchange for service to their lord. This service usually involved working the lord's fields, maintaining roads and the manor, and providing military service in times of war. Economically, this benefited the lords or vassals because serfs have to pay taxes to their lord or vassals. In return for the service and fees paid by the peasants, lords and vassals provided land and protection to them. Lords and vassals had to pay fees and give service to the higher lords and the

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