The Feudal Society in Medieval Europe

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Although the word ‘feudal’ was not used to describe a system of traditional obligations in medieval Europe until much later, in the 17th century, the structure was heavily developed in England - starting around the time of its conquest - by William the Conqueror. William almost immediately began erecting permanent defenses, like castles, around the countryside, and needed about 5000 people to man these forts. Nobles were offered incentives – the important commodity of land – instead of money. They in turn agreed to supply armed knights and anything else the king needed. But land grants had already started to come into play during the Carolingian territory expansion of the 8th century - as the heavy cavalry was developed so did the necessity to fund the upkeep of this expensive military service including horses, equipment and retinue. As shown in the Bayeux Tapestry the Normans used heavily armoured mounted cavalry to great advantage against the English, who had the costly disadvantage of being on foot. Raids by the Vikings and the Magyars through Europe had also helped show the need for supporters to be rewarded in return for their much-needed aid.

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The Bayeux Tapestry is a great source of information regarding feudalism, among other things. It shows Harold pledging his vassalage to William, agreeing to keep the succession of the English kingdom clear for William once the reigning King Edward had died. Harold then reneged on this promise, with the severe consequence being that William invaded England and Harold lost his life (the ultimate result of breaking his oath of allegiance) - the major events and outcome of the Battle of Hastings is told clearly in the Tapestry.

Harold pledging fealty to the conquering William
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Basically the feudal system was a pyramid of commitment – at the top was a king or emperor then aristocracy (including church leaders), then petty nobles & bureaucrats and lastly the peasants; although the system was fairly rigid it was open to much wheeling & dealing. Charters, indentures, contracts and sub-contracts, exceptions and exemptions flowed up and down the chain of command – only those at the very top and the very bottom were virtually unaffected – the kings because they held all the power, and the peasants because they held none. It was used as an excuse for invading other countries for more territory – in 1059 the pope ‘encouraged’ the Normans into attacking Sicily, by giving them feudal rights over territory which wasn’t even theirs. The Church also let William know God was on his side if he invaded England.

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The epic poem, The Song of Roland, contains an interesting example of the feudal system, as while in Spain warring against the Saracens, the Frankish Emperor Charlemagne extracts a pledge of allegiance by King Marsile – with the King promising to be Charlemagne’s vassal in exchange for Charlemagne withdrawing from his country. The King then reneges on this pledge so Charlemagne calls on some of his loyal vassals to return and enforce his position. Roland is one who volunteers to return as he honours his pledge of obedience and service. There is also an Archbishop in the party - men of the Church often being called into allegiance in similar fashion to the knights. Roland is set up in a trap and eventually calls on his horn as a signal for help to call back Charlemagne, knowing that his leader will return to protect him – this being part of the understanding between parties during a pledge of commitment.

one depiction of Roland calling for Charlemagne, using the horn
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Just as the use of feudalism was not contained within just a few countries, but widespread throughout Western Europe, it was also not confined to secular groups. The Church was caught up in the system, as it had to perform feudal duties to receive the protection of the King. Becoming a vassal weakened the Church’s authority as a central control unit, becoming pawns in political dealings locally as nobles vied for control.

We are given other examples of the system of feudalism via the courtly love poet. The love lyric has shown the similarity between the singer's own feelings of allegiance, obedience and submission to their heart’s desire, and that of a vassal to his lord. They also wrote lyrics which reflected acts of chivalry, such as in the poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”. The (often chaste) lover was supposed to show devotion to a lady he could not love openly, and yet was expected to look at no other. His reward was little, and his danger could be great – if the husband found out it could mean loss of lands, or bodily harm or to the besotted lyricist. Similarly, a vassal was expected to show true allegiance to his lord regardless of his treatment, and severe consequences for betrayal.

from the original manuscript, author unknown
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The structures of feudalism have left us with ideals of trust and codes of honour, the emphasis of land-holding as a base of power, our attitude toward, and use of, contractual obligations and ruling of law. It has been the catalyst for our contemporary structures of society such as governmental rule (with the vassals being district councils, local city councils and so on down the chain), even if we are not directly governed by a sovereignty any longer. Although we may no longer recognise the source of how we do things, we have a lot to owe to the feudal developers of medieval times.

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This essay was one I wrote as an assignment, while obtaining my University degree. I have included the bibliography - reference materials I used while writing - just as I’d had to for its submission. It has never before been published anywhere public, though. Images have been added for visual interest.

Bibliography:

Norman Davies, Europe A History, London: Pimlico, 1997

George Holmes [Ed.], The Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988

Nigel Saul [Ed.], The Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval England, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997

Nigel Saul, A Companion to Medieval England 1066 – 1485, Gloucestershire: Tempus Publishing Ltd., 2005

Dr John Stevenson [Gen Ed.], The History of Europe, London: Mitchell Beazley, 2002

Roy Strong, The Story of Britain, London: Oman Productions Ltd., 1996

David M. Wilson, The Bayeux Tapestry, London: Thames and Hudson Ltd., 1985

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http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/feudal-system.htm

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http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/villein.htm

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feudalism

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vassal

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serfdom

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http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac35

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paladins

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Song_of_Roland