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Feudalism was a system that was developed in a time of crisis, when there were no strong central governments. Kings needed a system to defend the towns and countryside of their kingdoms. Lords needed a way to defend their properties. And peasants needed a way to find protection from raiders, wars, famine, and the other problems they faced.
What was produced out of this was the pyramid structure of mutual support, based on estates an promises, called feudalism. In this system, kings gave land to lords in exchange for promises of support, and the lords gave the lands to peasants to farm in exchange for food and protection.
It was a good system in a time when military forces were needed quickly on a local basis. The need could be anything from defense against robbers or Viking raiders to defense against invading armies.
But there were several different things that made the system unstable. One was that it depended on oaths promising support, and it was only as good as the oaths were. When a feudal lord decided to work against his king rather than for him, it was a problem for the king.
Another was that it only worked as long as the peasants had nothing better to do. When opportunities to find jobs in towns or cities presented themselves, they were prone to running off. This was self limiting to some extent, because there was danger inherent in freedom, and there was safety and food on the manors they farmed. But when the Black Plague struck, they even ran off to manors whose lords promised a better deal on rents or freedoms, and since the new manorial obligations were negotiable, they were much more free, which effectively ended any feudal ties they had.
Another thing that worked against feudalism is that it was only necessary when the king was too poor to have a standing army. As soon as he could afford to keep an army, the feudal lords were not much help any more and he didn't need them.
Feudalism did not last all that long. While the manorial component was derived from Roman law, full fledged feudalism did not come into being until the Carolingian Empire, in the 9th century. But it never spread in its full manifestation to all of Europe, and died out in many places before the end of the Middle Ages.
There is a link below to an article on feudalism.
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What is European feudalism?
European feudalism emerged when the Roman empire fell during the 5th century. During the 10th century, it was in France and Germany that the first elements of feudalism appeared.
Which was common to both European and Japanese feudalism?
decentralized government
What did Feudalism mean in Medieval European society?
Feudalism existed in Medieval European society. The King appointed a Lord to oversee a property. The Lord relied on commoners, or serfs, to work the land while he provided for them.
How did feudalism and the manor system affect nobility?
It improved Medieval European society.
What was one similarity between Japanese and European feudalism?
A high value of military skills and loyalty.
What is European feudalism?
European feudalism emerged when the Roman empire fell during the 5th century. During the 10th century, it was in France and Germany that the first elements of feudalism appeared.
How was Japanese feudalism similar to European feudalism?
Both the European and Japanese feudal systems developed as a result of a weak central government.
How was Japanese feundalism different from European fuendalism?
Feudalism in japan was similar to European feudalism as they both involved the same heirachy and therefore was quite simialr apart from the class definitions.
How did European fuedalism work?
The European feudalism worked by bringing social stability in medieval Europe.
Which was common to both European and Japanese feudalism?
decentralized government
Which affect did the vikings have on the European society?
They helped cause the rise of feudalism
What was the key power in European feudalism society?
Screaming 2 Chainz!
What did Feudalism mean in Medieval European society?
Feudalism existed in Medieval European society. The King appointed a Lord to oversee a property. The Lord relied on commoners, or serfs, to work the land while he provided for them.
What were the names of the poor people from 1601?
peasants or serfs back in European feudalism
How did feudalism and the manor system affect nobility?
It improved Medieval European society.
Which best describes the economic differences between European feudalism and later economic models that emerged in Europe following the Commercial Revolution?
The European middle class was more powerful after the Commercial Revolution than it was under feudalism.
Which best describes the economic differences between European feudalism and later economic models that emerged in Europe following the commercial revolution?
The European middle class was more powerful after the Commercial Revolution than it was under feudalism.
