CHAPTER 2 THE FEUDALISM SYSTEM Flashcards
Feudalism
Political, economical and social system. Only Christians kingdoms.
Characteristics: 1.-Loss of power of monarch 2.-Relations based on personal loyalty. 3.-Areas of land called fiefdoms, small and self sufficient..
Feudal Monarchy
The monarchs governed:
- -THE COURT. Trusted nobles who advised in govern matters.
- -ROYAL OFFICIALS: served the monarch. Different tasks and duties. For example Chancery
Chancery
The royal officials recorded the decisions (in justice) of the monarch in writing, and to ensure to implement them.
War
The monarch summoned the hosts: Army composed of private armies, monarch, and the nobility.
Origins of feudalism, and characteristics
After the Carolingian Empire, Europe was raided by different peoples who sacked villages and peoples.
The monarchs ned assistance of nobles and the were rewarded dividing the land between the lords, making them landowners. A weak position of the monarch.
Nobles
- -Power hereditary, and thy founded dynasties.
2. -Absolute power over the land inhabitants. They collect taxes, and hand out of the justice.
Fiefdom
Or manor, or fief, was an area of landowning a noble, called feudal lord. Serfs and peasants lived in the fiefdom.
Feudal Lord
Señor feudal: Was the landowner of a fiefdom (or manor).
- -They had military power, and castles, and they can help and oppose to the monarch.
- -They fought one to others, to gain mor lands.Wars, created insecurity, and people migrated from the cities to the countryside seeking their protection.
- -They collect taxes.
Feudal wars
Heavy (armoured) and light cavalry (both of low nobility).
Foot soldiers (infantry, were peasants).
Mercenaries.
Armies: swords to fight near, and Bows and arrows to fight long-distance.
Strategies: Occupy and sack the lands and pillage of castles.
VASSALAGE RELATIONSHIPS
VASSAL:
A vassal was a person who promise loyalty to someone more powerful than himself (monarch, noble), in the commendation ceremony.
Commendation ceremony:
Vassal is knelt before the lord. He put his hands together and swore his loyalty. He promise help him, and advise him, even military aid.
The lord kissed the vassal hands and kissed them. He promise protect him.
Investiture: in some cases, the lord granted and additional privilege as a post or a fief.
Investiture
Is an additional act of the commendation ceremony. The lord gives and additional privilege to the vassal, such a post or a fief.
Knighthood ceremony
It was developed with an apprentice called squire or armor bearer, who had learnt to handle weapons and horses
- -The future knight passed the night before meditating and praying.
- -Next day, the lord present a sword and spurs, and the knight swore his loyalty to him.
- -When he learn to fight he is awarded with the title of knight, in a ceremony that the noble dubbed him on the shoulder with a sword. The spurs are put on him and the sword is girded on(ceñida).
Bond (vínculo) of servitude
This ceremony recognized the lower vassals status, between the noble and their serfs.
Later developments of feudal system
Increase of the monarchs power and authority.
Trade and growth of the cities.
Peasant revolts.
