Feudal System
A term used in the early 17th century, it refers to a medieval political system introduced in 1066 by William the Conqueror. This system was based on the level of command each man had. The King at the top is obviously the most powerful and important. It is the King’s job to grant land to his nobleman (Barons and Bishops) and in return they must promise to remain loyal to King and provide him soldiers in the time of war. Each of the noblemen who had taken land from the King must take an oath using the words “Sire, I become your man.” This oath is meant for life and anyone who is to go against or broke it would be seen as a traitor.
The system works its way down, the King granting land to the barons and bishops and they grant land to the knights and the knight grants land to the peasants or villains. In return they each must give their superior something.
KING
The most superior and has the most control in the entire system. The king made all the laws, owned all the land and has complete control of the army and has the choice of which baron to grant land to and each one in return must take an oath of loyalty before the king.
NOBLES
The nobles consist of barons, bishops and lords. The barons were the most powerful noblemen and are granted large amounts of land. In return, they must remain loyal to the king and provides him knights whenever the king needs them and they provide land to the knights. The bishops had as much power as the barons, they have control over the land they call dioceses and all the priest and monastery within it.
KNIGHTS
Knights were given their land by the barons and in exchange for the land they must protect the baron's family and the manor. They must also provide military service for the king whenever it is needed. Knights are able to use the land for their own personal use and also able to distribute it to the villeins/peasants.
PEASANTS/VILLEINS
Peasants also known as villeins or serfs were given land by the knights. Peasants had absolutely no rights and had to provide the knights with free labour, food and service.
IMPACT OF THE FEUDAL SYSTEM ON MEDIEVAL LIFE.
Before the feudal system the people of England were free and had their freedom of speech and free will but this had changed after the William the Conqueror introduced the feudal system. The system is a very strict system created by the king and therefore everyone must obey his laws and it takes away the people's free will. Every person of the medieval society was split into three different category of your social status and importance to the king. Everyone must abide to the system or else there is punishment for anyone who goes against it.
Dr. L. Kip Wheeler states, ".....feudalism discouraged unified government....Feudal government was always an arrangement between individuals, not between nation-states and citizens."
The first class was the king and obviously no one was able to be place into this class.
The second class was the nobles and only the barons, bishops were able to be in this category. This class was for the people who are rich and are important to the king.
The third class consists of knights who are granted land by the nobles and in return they provide military service.
At the bottom of the system are the peasants who are the poorest and least important.
Peasants and serfs had the least amount of freedom and will. They worked for free for their superiors and had to receive permission to do anything such as moving homes and marriage.
Every class of the system had to act upon the system and obey their superiors. Serious punishment would take place if anyone was to go against their superior.
Everyone would feel more subordinate to their superior, as they must follow any rules set out by them.
The nobles must provide the king with military service whenever it is asked for.
Knights must provide protection and military service to the king and nobles.
Peasants must provide free labour and food to the knights.
As Dr. L. Kip Wheeler states, "...feudalism discouraged trade and economic growth. The land was worked by peasant farmers called serfs who were tied to individual plots of land and forbidden to move or change occupations without the permission of their lord."
Each class must provide something to their superior and therefore each person feels the loss of their own free will.