Definition Of Feudalism
Feudalism is not an easy term to define. The use of the word feudalism was not a termthat is created by scholars in the seventeenth century, well after the medieval age. Thusthe term is filled with confusion and inaccuracy. In a way, the term feudalism tries tocondense all the aspects of a complex society into one term. By creating the term,scholars tried to condense the society into connections to the feud, or estate granted to"vassus" by lords. The terms vassus and lord meant different things to different groups ofpeoples in different areas and during different times. Thus it is hard define precisely whatfeudalism is. Scholars however have two differing descriptions about how to view In one view, that of Marc Bloch, viewed feudalism as t
The ruling counts were below kings inearly feudalism, however when the kings failed to protect, the counts stepped in andprotected their people for a price, that of subservience. These retainers became the vassals. Just as there is confusion over the precise definition of feudalism, there isconfusion over its origins. Under the lords were their "bodyguards" or knights. He saw all of these issues centering aroundlordship. In the more widely held, modern view, Martel purchased the loyalty of subjectswith land or other wealth. Belowthese knights were the retainers or vassals. These vassals were notmembers of the nobility and thus could not rule. Marxism's main emphasis is that of the plight of the worker thus in his view offeudalism only the peasants contributed to society. Thus the government was ruled by the lords and royal officialswho ruled over their land. In another major view, feudalism is largely a political term. Those that were trained in using thestirrup to spear his enemy became valuable to the lords, who made these men take oathsof allegiance to them. In a time of civil war and danger from barbarian invaders, feudalism provided protectionand a way of life to the peasants of Europe.
Common topics in this essay:
Karl Marx,
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Marc Bloch,
Mifflin Company,
view feudalism,
retainers vassals,
indebted lords,
life peasants,
lower class,
modern view,
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