Assignment: Feudalism and the High Middle Ages

Assignment: Feudalism

Feudalism

The term “feudalism” is not a medieval one. historians from the seventeenth century refer it to a set of institutions based on private dependencies between a lord and a vassal (the vassal ) and a physical link (the fee ), and which characterizes the society of medieval Western IX to XIII century: dependent hierarchy, hierarchy of land fragmentation and hierarchy of authority. However, this was not the only way in which the historians used to describe the term “Feudalism”. Few of the historians meant it by an economic and social system which is defined by the inherited social ranks, having inherent economic and social obligation and privileges (Coffin, et al. 2011). It was later taken over by Marxist historians, who frequently use the term “feudalism” to define the mode of production that is placed between ancient slavery and the capitalist economy.

Owing to this fact, it becomes evident that the people of the Middle Ages did not know the term “feudalism” but they were aware of the similar system of gifts or grants called “fiefs”. 'Fiefs' (land or moveable wealth) held by vassals/men from their lords, whose property, in theory, the tenements remained, in return for specified service, which was usually a combination of military and social duties (e.g. attendance at the lord's court, hospitality to the lord and his men) and miscellaneous payments that reflected the lord's continued rights over the property. Each servant (vassal) pays homage to his lord he takes the oath of fidelity. The Lord then gives his vassal a fief (land) in exchange for his loyalty. The ceremony takes place as follows: the vassal kneeling puts his hands clasped in those of the lord (Coffin, et al. 2011). The Lord comes over and kisses him. Now, the vassal must help ...