Feudal Europe: Kingdoms, Religion, and Society
Following the Carolingian rule, Europe consisted of a mosaic of kingdoms and states. The common elements were the Christian religion and the political, economic, and social structures of feudalism. For this reason, medieval Europe is also known as Christian and feudal Europe.
After the death of Charlemagne in 814, Europe entered a period of great insecurity. The causes of this insecurity were the struggles among the Emperor’s successors, attacks by Muslims in the Mediterranean, and the arrival of new waves of invading peoples: the Normans and Vikings on the European Atlantic coast, and the Bulgarians, Slavs, and Hungarians in the center of the continent.
Kings were unable to protect their lands, so they relied on powerful local nobles for defense. These nobles swore allegiance to the king, offering military help. Farmers who inhabited these lands sought the protection of nobles, fighting for them in exchange for land or labor.
Feudalism: Political, Economic, and Social System
Feudalism was the political, economic, and social system that prevailed in Europe between the 9th and 12th centuries. It was based on two types of personal dependency relationships: vassalage and manorialism.
Vassalage Relationships
Vassalage relationships were hierarchical. They were established between the king and the great nobles or clerics, and among these and other nobles of lesser rank. These were military pacts or alliances in exchange for economic concessions and included two elements:
- Vassalage
- Fief
Vassalage
Vassalage was the act by which a person placed themselves under the dependency of another, thus becoming their vassal. It consisted of two parts and was celebrated with an inauguration.
During the ceremony, the man became a vassal of the lord and swore an oath of fidelity, promising not to harm him and to give him military aid and advice.
The Fief
The fief was a concession made by the lord to the vassal. It largely consisted of land and the right to govern it, levy taxes, and administer justice to its inhabitants.
Manorialism and Peasants
In exchange for protection, peasants gave their lands to the lord or worked for him. The lord collected rents and seigneurial rights from them, such as the right to issue and administer justice.
The Church’s Role
Political Arena
The Church intervened in the Christian kingdoms, advising kings and arbitrating disputes. It also sought to curb the violence of the era.
Economic Sphere
The Church possessed its own fiefdoms, and like the nobles, received income from farmers. There was also the tithe, or tenth of the harvest, for the maintenance of the clergy and donations in exchange for prayers for the salvation of souls.
Social Field
The clergy belonged to the privileged group and exerted great influence on society. They imposed religious obligations such as attending Mass, fasting, or confessing, and monitored the behavior of people. Additionally, the church cared for the poor, sick, and orphans, and collected donations to shelter the persecuted.
Cultural and Educational Role
The Church, together with kings and nobles, organized education and became the main driver of artistic works.
Lifestyle of the Peasant
Peasants faced harsh living conditions. They worked the land with rudimentary tools, with the participation of all in agricultural tasks, and experienced very high mortality rates.