Feudalism

This essay was written in response to Question 5 of Mid-Term Exam #1.
5. Feudalism.

Define feudalism. Then build a picture of feudalism and explain how it arose out of the political, economic, and social conditions of the age. Are you surprised to see its development or expected it? Why? or Why not? How important was it?

What is Feudalism?

Controversy Abounds...

It turns out the word "feudalism" has many meanings, and is the center of quite a controversy. In fact, some scholars claim the word has no meaning at all! However, I aim to show that the term "feudalism" IS useful, the practice DID exist, and its emergence has powerful repercussions even today.

Definition of Feudalism

An essay on feudalism from the Wikipedia describes a complex history of both the WORD and the CONCEPT of feudalism. [1] The formal definition given by the American Heritage Dictionary defines feudalism as "a political and economic system of Europe from the 9th to about the 15th century, based on the holding of all land in fief or fee and the resulting relation of lord to vassal and characterized by homage, legal and military service of tenants, and forfeiture." [2]

So – What’s This Mean?!

A second definition of feudalism is that it is any "political, economic, or social order resembling this medieval system."[3] So, the TERM “feudalism” is one applied by later generations to describe a system that arose during the Middle Ages. As such, there will always be controversy about whether the term itself means anything at all. As the Wikipedia asserts (too bad the article isn’t authored so we know who is asserting it!), the term was invented in the 17th century by lawyers in France and England who wanted to “describe certain traditional obligations between members of the warrior aristocracy.”[4] At a later date, radicals in the 18th century began using the term in a pejorative sense, “to tar the antiquated system of the Ancien Régime, or French monarchy.”[5] In the 19th century, Karl Marx added his own interpretation to this definition of feudalism. Marx’s analysis and interpretation of the study of economics led him to believe that “feudalism is the economic situation coming before the inevitable rise of capitalism.” Further, for Marx, “what defined feudalism was that the power of the ruling class (the aristocracy) rested on their control of the farmable lands, leading to a class society based upon the exploitation of the peasants who farm these lands, typically under serfdom.”[6] In the 20th century, once again, scholars criticized the use of the term, and the meaning of the concept itself. Some of the criticism was parochial (did feudalism exist in England BEFORE the Norman invasion, or did the Normans import and implement feudalism?). Other criticisms are historical - was feudalism used by the Normans as a way dominate and control the English, Anglo-Saxon population? Some, such as historian Marc Bloch, have preferred to expand the definition into a sociological description that includes not only the hierarchical relationship between lords and vassals, but also between lords and peasants. Finally, some such as historian Elizabeth A.R. Brown have said the term itself has become, “an anachronistic construct which imparted a false sense of uniformity to the concept.”

What’s My Point of View?

As a student rather than a scholar, I can avoid the controversies and the critical distinctions, and simply choose to use the concept in a generic, general way. It seems to me SOMETHING existed in the Middle Ages that was different enough from what existed both before it and after. And it is this “something” which many people, rightly or wrongly, call feudalism. It may not have been intentionally created (what social/economic/political system is?), and it may have varied in its appearance, its operations, and its purposes. However, it is still a useful concept. It enables us to learn and discuss and THINK about something that we, mostly, understand. It’s kind of like calling the sky “blue”, when we all know it matters a lot which sky we’re talking about, and when, and where it is! With all this aside, I shall now address the deeper meanings.

How did Feudalism Arise?

Feudalism arose after the demise of the Carolingian empire created by Charlemagne in the 8th century (768-814).[7] On pages 142-145 of our textbook[8], Spielvogel describes the feudal world as one of lords and vassals. Spielvogel describes it thus: “With the breakdown of governments, powerful nobles took control of large areas of land. They needed men to fight for them, so the practice arose of giving grants of land to vassals who in return would fight for their lord.”[9] Encarta Online adds that Charlemagne used the existing system of seignorialism in giving nobles “tracts of land in exchange for loyalty and service.”[10] In addition, with the introduction of larger horses and the stirrup to Europe during the late 7th century, warriors had begun using armored coats of mail (instead of the throwing spears the Franks were once known for).[11] These heavily armored fighting men, known as “knights” needed time to train, and money to support them. The gifts of a fief from their lord enabled them to contract vassals to work the land, and support them and their families. The process of enfuedation helped insure the system of personal loyalty and allegiance functioned for all.

What Distinguishes Feudalism?

Dr. Feig’s online text, THE "MIDDLE" CENTURIES OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION FROM BYZANTIUM TO THE FRENCH REVOLUTION,[12] refers us to several sources of information online about Feudalism. A particularly useful reference was to an article called “The Central Middle Ages: The Military Elite”.[13] Several characteristics distinguish a feudal society:

· Political power is decentralized and personalized. The lord and vassal, and the lord and king, sustain contracts and pledges (loyalty oaths) that both connect them and differentiate their positions in society. This is a one-to-one relationship, though later in the era the fiefs, or landholdings, became inheritable. Initially, however, power was distributed via specific relationships between one vassal and one lord, or one lord and one king.

· Feudalism is a military society. The vassals owe allegiance to their lords, to provide military defense, and to join others and act as their lord’s personal army.

· Feudal society is informally organized. No legal or economic system created or sustained feudalism. Rather, the informal bonds that individuals formed between themselves, via custom and socially-sanctioned expectations, are what gave it its strength and sustenance. “A feudal society is a world where oaths and obligations, vows and promises and established expectations and customs provide the only stability possible.”[14] This is a society where reciprocity means that the loyalty oaths bind both parties, and the obligations go both ways.

How did Feudalism Develop?

Feudalism developed in the same way other political, social, and economic systems develop: it worked! It solved the immediate problems of how to feed one’s family, and how to defend one’s community. It provided protection to the lowly-born, and the wealthily-endowed. And it united the entire society, enriching and safe-guarding the world that they knew. Especially in times of trouble and in a land of constant turmoil, feudalism offered a respite for the vassals, the knights, and the lords – and their families!

Are there any other patterns of development?

The answer to this question is YES. In Britain, feudalism was installed by the invading Normans after 1066 as a way to maintain control of the local population.[15] William the Conqueror assumed ownership of all the lands (as the Franks had done elsewhere), and then doled out parcels of land as a means of control and administration. “Many of the Norman knights were given parcels of land that they held as fiefs from the new English king. William made all nobles swear an oath of loyalty to him and insisted that all people owed loyalty to the king rather than to their lords.”[16]

Where Else Was/Is Feudalism Found?

Oops, that goes beyond the scope of this essay!

How important was Feudalism?

Feudalism was a significant change in the way the world worked. Compared to the Pax Romana or the Carolingian Empire, it was a privatization of power that seemed significantly poorer and less organized. However, compared to marauding invaders and cowered kings, it seemed like a solution made to order! Furthermore, it provided the economic success that many say led to the birth of capitalism towards the late Middle Ages, and under which we are still living. So – it can perhaps be viewed as the “economic training wheels” of Western Civilization.

What Happened to Feudalism?

Sorry, this is a tale I have yet to read! But I look forward to the rest of the class. If it’s anything like this first third, I’ll learn a lot!







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[1] This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Feudalism", accessed 1/25/06 from www.answers.com/topic/feudalism?gwp=19.

[2] The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2004, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Accessed 1/25/06 from www.answers.com/topic/feudalism?gwp=19.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Wikipedia article “Feudalism”, 1/25/06.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Spielvogel, p. 135-145.

[8] Western Civilization, A Brief History, Volume I To 1715 by: Spielvogel, Jackson J, 1999; Thompson Learning, Inc, Belmont CA, 2005. pp. 142-145 and 156-157

[9] Spielvogel, p. 143.

[10] http://encarta.msn.com/text_761571217__0/Charlemagne.html. Accessed 1/25/06.

[11] Wikipedia, “Franks”. Accessed 1/27/06

[12] THE "MIDDLE" CENTURIES OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION FROM BYZANTIUM TO THE FRENCH REVOLUTION, http://www.omnibusol.com/medieval.html, accessed often!

[13] http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/distance/hist151/feudal.htm, accessed 1/20/06.

[14] Ibid.

[15] “Medieval Life: Feudalism,” from http://www.historyonthenet.com/Medieval_Life/feudalism.htm. Accessed 1/20/06.

[16] Spielvogel, p. 171.