Feudalism in Western Europe: Society and Power
The Rise of Feudalism in Western Europe
In the late 8th century, Charlemagne, King of the Franks, unified Western Europe, forming the Carolingian Empire, an attempt to be a successor of the Roman emperors. Upon Charlemagne’s death, the empire was divided into three parts among his children, ultimately formalized by the Treaty of Verdun in 843. During the 9th and 10th centuries, Western Europe faced significant invasions: Vikings from the north, Muslims from the south, and Hungarians from the east.
Monarchs had weak power and could not protect the people or maintain a large army. Consequently, kings sought aid from the nobles, establishing a system of personal relationships known as vassalage. This relationship involved a vassal swearing fidelity, providing counsel, and offering economic and military aid to the king. In return, the king granted the vassal a fief in a ceremony of investiture, making the noble a feudal lord with power over his fief. This system, known as feudalism (a political, economic, social, and cultural system), became established in Western Europe from the 9th century and lasted throughout the Middle Ages.
Feudal Society: A Hierarchical Structure
Feudalism established a rigid, hierarchical society divided into three estates, which were closed compartments that determined one’s entire life. These estates were the nobility, the clergy, and the non-privileged. The nobility, who were privileged, dedicated themselves to war. They held political, economic, and social power and did not pay taxes. The clergy, also privileged, consisted of priests and monks dedicated to prayer. The third estate comprised the non-privileged (peasants, artisans, etc.), who worked to maintain society and paid taxes without any rights.
The King’s Limited Power
The king was considered God’s representative but did not hold absolute power. By the 10th century, he shared power with feudal lords, who held maximum authority within their fiefs. The king could not interfere in the internal affairs of a fief. His power was limited to leading military campaigns, requesting funds from feudal lords when needed, and acting as the supreme judge. The Royal Council, a group of nobles chosen by the king, advised him.
The Privileged Nobility
The nobility, a privileged minority, held political and economic power and were dedicated to warfare. The sons of nobles received military training from a very young age. From the age of eight, they served a feudal lord, first as pages, then as squires at 12, and finally as knights at 18.
The Feudal Manor: Heart of the System
The fief was divided into two main parts: the manorial reserve and the manses. The reserve contained the lord’s castle, cultivated lands, meadows, and forests. The manses were plots of land divided among serfs, who, in exchange for a parcel, had to pay rent to the church and the feudal lord. The feudal lord had the right of justice, could dictate laws, collect taxes, etc.
Peasants and Serfs: Life at the Bottom
A small minority of peasants were free and owned their land, which they could sell or bequeath. However, the vast majority were serfs. Serfs lacked personal freedom; they could not abandon the fief, marry, or leave an inheritance without permission. Free peasants worked only for survival. Agricultural tools were rudimentary. Fields were divided into two parts, and biennial rotation was practiced. Peasants produced only what they needed. Their houses usually had only one or two rooms, and they often lived with animals inside.