The feudal system

Feudalism was a kind of political, economic and social organization that prevailed in
Europe from the ninth to the thirteenth century. In this system, the political and economic
power revolved around the possession of the land. The society was characterized by the
establishment of relations of personal dependence known as vassalage. This link was
caused by the need of monarchs to obtain the loyalty of the nobles, who had to cede
some of their authority and give them land to be in charge, for example, to defend their
territories from invasions.
Features of feudalism
Feudalism

had

similar

characteristics

in

all

countries:

1. The central power exercised by kings, disappeared and dispersed in the fiefs. In them,
the feudal lords assumed functions of the State, such as legislation, impose taxes and
administer justice.
2. The ties of dependency became personal. Gone was the notion of a man linked to the
State

and

submission

of

one

man

over

another

originated.

3. The land became a source of wealth and power by reducing trade and currency
circulation. Agriculture became the basis of the economy and rural life became
predominant; cities, however, languished.
4. The economy was subsistence, as each fiefdom consumed only what it produced.
5. Society, strongly hierarchical, was dominated by two privileged social groups: the
nobility and clergy.
6. The Catholic Church was consolidated as an institution of enormous religious, political
and economic power.
Vassalage
Vassalage was a personal bond between two free men, one of whom was lord and the
other vassal. This link was strengthened through a contract, whereby the vassal pledged
to support Mr tips and military and economic aid. M., meanwhile, promised to give
material compensation or benefit that could consist of horses, weapons and, above all,
land or fiefdoms. This agreement was confirmed by two ceremonies: the homage and
investiture. A hierarchical society.
Feudal
1.

The

society

was

nobles,

established
who

rightful

on

the
fight

basis
to

of

three

protect

different

their

strata:

dependents.

2. The clergy, who were dedicated to praying for the salvation of souls.
3. Farmers whose mission was to work to keep the three social classes.
4. At the top of the feudal system, the king, who was not a vassal of anyone and that, in
theory, was the master of everyone else was. Among the members of the nobility there
were great differences, although all were part of the aristocracy. The great vassals were
the earls, viscounts, dukes and marquises, who lived in castles and had extensive fiefs.
At the intermediate level were vassals of the great vassals, who had smaller fiefdoms.
The knights were vassals and children constitute the majority of the nobility. While not
possessed fiefs possessed horses and arms to go fight for his master.
The ceremony of vassalage
The ceremony included two rites of vassalage:
1. The tribute. In this act, the future vassal knelt before his master, swore loyalty by
offering fight him and give every assistance, and asked him to accept him as a vassal. If
Mr.

accepted,

step

investiture

was

given.

2. The investiture. In this ceremony, Mr. took vassal hands in hers and asked if I wanted
to serve. Mr. sealed the pact by giving his vassal a sword, a bouquet of flowers, a handful
of earth, which symbolized the delivery of properties- or some other object. If either party
violated

the

oath

of

allegiance,

he

would

become

traitor.

In both rites, the knight and his master expressed his commitment as follows:
"Sir, I become your man forever; I will be faithful and loyal, as my lord I become your man
as rents provide the fief. And Mr. must answer: "I will receive as a man; and I will give
faith

as

such;

and

will

kiss

it

on

faith.

The dependencies of a medieval castle

Castles evolved into real military strengths. This castle, for example, own the fourteenth
century, and efficiently protecting its residents, offering them some comfort that there
was in the early wooden constructions. The efficiency of the castles remained intact until
the implementation of gunpowder. From there, the strong walls were demolished by
cannon fire.