Feudal society, medieval culture, king, royal power, feudalism, knight, middle ages
The High Middle Ages was a period that spanned from the 10th to the 13th century. This period was marked with the implementation of a new medieval society : the feudal society, which appeared with the collapse of the Carolingian system. The feudal society was related to the concept of feudalism, a term made up by historians in order to explain the political and economic organisation during the Middle Ages.Feudalism was based on land ownership and it really influenced medieval culture. It's important to point out the fact that everything revolved around owning land, the primary source of wealth in this agrarian society. The lands ruled by Middle Ages kings and emperors required constant attention to maintain control and hold on to power. Even if they were at the top of the feudal society, they couldn't control all of the land they owned by themselves. As such kings and emperors decided it would be best to divide their land during this context of constant warfare. In this manner, power was widely distributed and so the feudal society was established. While the power of kings and emperors has decreased significantly in the West, the feudal society was based on the relationships between lords and his vassals.
[...] We can ask ourselves who were the power holders within the feudal society between the 11th and 12th centuries. In addition to this, how did they manage to hold onto power and legitimate their authority? In the first part, we will consider the power held by the kings and princes, and we will see how the central power is gradually fragmented with the rise of the principalities. However, we will take into account the extension and strengthening of the royal power in the 12th century. [...]
[...] Then the vassal swears his loyalty on sacred objects (like the Bible or relics). This can be followed by a kiss of peace. We call this part of the commendation ceremony the Oath of Fealty. The ritual ended with the investiture when the lord gave the fief to his vassal. These rituals were public. During this act you needed to have witnesses in order to reinforce the legitimacy. It was a religious act. Furthermore, the role of castles and mottes in the affirmation of power need to be taken into consideration. [...]
[...] It was a record of who owned what in the whole country. It was an important part of Norman control and it allowed William to charge rent and tax more efficiently. The Normans imposed a strong power in England. The Holy Roman Empire was comprised of different political territories, ruled by princes, who recognize the power of the emperor. However, at the same time, the emperors also had to face the fragmentation of the power. The emperor was chosen among one of the Prince, meaning he was elected. [...]
[...] The castles show the power of the lord. It is indeed a symbol of economic and judicial power as well as the symbol of protection. The fact that these castles and mottes spread often without royal permission symbolized the growing power of the local lords. The absence of strong power has resulted in an increase in violence. Power belongs to warriors. Violence and strength consequently defined power. As the power of kings and emperors weakens, the system relied more and more on the lords who enforce order and security locally in their own territories. [...]
[...] In this manner, a system of lords and lesser lords grew to dominate most of Europe within the feudal society. The political power was held by several people, but it was mainly dominated by lords, castellans and knights. It's important to point out the fact that the lords held absolute power over the fief they owned, knights formed an important group of medieval nobility and they dominated the feudal society because they held strength, prestige and wealth. Finally, the feudal society consisted of a theoretical hierarchy between kings, princes, great lords and their vassals. [...]
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