I have just read an article on Feudalism in a Britannia magazine.
             Feudalism began between the 8th and 9th centuries. It was first recognised in France, and later spread to most countries of Western Europe. When Charlemagne died there was no strong ruler to take his place. That was when feudalism was established as the main system of government and way of life in Medieval Europe. Europe was politically divided. It was hit by several invasions like Vikings, Muslim pirates, and others. People could no longer look for protection. They had to seek the protection of the kings, queens, lords ... who had armies of their own. Majesty would grant land to another noble in exchange for protection and military services. This grant was called a "fief". Those who received the fiefs were called vassals. Within the fief, the vassal was the highest authority.
             The vassals promised the lord military services. Military service was their main obligation. This service was usually limited to 40 days a year. Vassals also owed payments called aids on certain occasions.
             A vassal's son usually inherited his father's responsibility to serve and pay aids. Before receiving the fief, the son had to pay a fee called a relief. The amount of payment all depended on the size of the territory, the lord in turn, had obligations to his vassals. He promised the vassal protection and could not deny the vassal's claim to the fief. If at any time an outsider tried to steal the vassal's fief, the lord would join in with his other knights to help him.
             Ahh I hope that is not to confusing, but I found this article interesting. I guess it was the picture with the article that caught my eye.
             All in all not all history is boring, it's just hard to find something interesting.
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