It's a basic question of economics: those with wealth could afford to buy land, and did. The poor people couldn't afford to do so, and during this time villages and towns were relatively small and provided few employment opportunities-rather, there wasn't a large enough market to create enough jobs to go around. So, the peasants needed places to live and employment. The wealthy needed workers for their land. It was an economic exchange: landowners allowed peasants to live on their land in exchange for labor. The peasants were required to also pay some type of "rent," though this was usually done through gifts "in kind" rather than actual cash. In turn, the manor lord would give his peasants protection from outside threats.
The system collapsed because manor lords began to realize that free laborers were more willing to do the necessary work to turn a profit if they were there by free will, had a share in the profits, or were allowed to use their free time to sell their services to others. Also, as exploration and trade expanded, there were more work opportunities in the larger towns and at sea.
feudalism
Japanese feudalism was organized around a hierarchical system of land ownership and loyalty, primarily involving the emperor, shogun, daimyo, samurai, and peasants. The emperor was the nominal ruler, but real power resided with the shogun, who governed on his behalf. The shogun granted land to daimyo (feudal lords) in exchange for military service, while daimyo employed samurai (warrior class) to protect their territories. Peasants worked the land and provided food, forming the base of this social structure, which was characterized by mutual obligations and loyalty.
Both Japanese and European feudalism were hierarchical systems that structured society around land ownership and loyalty. In Japan, the samurai served the daimyo in exchange for land and protection, while in Europe, knights served lords under a similar feudal contract. However, a key difference lies in the cultural context: Japanese feudalism emphasized bushido, a code of honor for samurai, while European feudalism was more influenced by chivalric codes and the Christian Church. Additionally, Japanese feudalism was more centralized under the shogunate, whereas European feudalism was often fragmented among numerous competing lords.
It's disheartening to come across such medieval thinking in this modern age.Medieval art work often centered around religious themes.
Feudalism emerged as a result of the decentralization of the European empire. This was a system for structuring society around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange of service or labour.
feudalism
feudalism
feudalism
Feudalism, a term first used in theearly modern period (17th century), in its most classic sense refers to a Medieval European political system composed of a set of reciprocal legal and military obligations among the warrior nobility, revolving around the three key concepts of lords, vassals, and fiefs. There is no broadly accepted modern definition of feudalism.
Feudalism in Europe established a hierarchical social structure that organized society around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service and protection. It led to the decentralization of power, with local lords exerting more control over their territories while providing security to peasants in exchange for labor. This system influenced economic practices, social relations, and political organization, shaping the medieval landscape and contributing to the eventual rise of centralized monarchies and nation-states. Feudalism also fostered a sense of loyalty and obligation among the classes, which significantly impacted European culture and governance.
700 AD
Feudalism
Feudalism began approximately during the 11th century and ended around the 15th century.
Medieval lands owned by a nobleman or lord for whom the serfs labored and owed allegiance were known as manors or feudal estates. These were self-sufficient agricultural areas, usually centered around a manor house or castle, where the lord exercised control over the serfs who worked the land.
They are organized around party affiliation
They are organized around party affiliation
puritans society was organized around the family