Feudalism Used During The Medieval Era

Feudalism It is common knowledge that feudalism was used during the medieval era, but not many people know how it worked, what were some of its’ benefits, or even its’ downfalls. This research paper will clarify all of these points, and hopefully give you a better understand of this form of government. Feudalism started in 1066, after William the Conqueror defeated the Anglo-Saxons. William the Conqueror used this technique of exchanging land for military services, to award his generals for helping him conqueror the British Isles. This form of government also uses a hierarchy to place the people of this medieval era in social classes. This hierarchy started at the top with the Kings. These kings were the wealthiest of the social class, and

The top of the lower class, or the third class, was the knights/Vassals. The main job of this class was to control the military. They had to provide the king with military services, when needed, and protect the nobles and their family. The nobles leased some of their land, which was leased to them by the king, to the members of this class. They set their own taxation and rent, but the knights also had to pay the noble’s taxes and rent. The knights granted some of their land to the Villeins, who were the lowest of the social class. The Villeins had to provide food and other services to the higher classes on demand. This class had no rights, and they could not even leave the manor, without the permission of the Manor’s

If there was anyone that did not live in the manor, then they would be in constant fear of being attacked by thieves or even starving to death. Feudalism did not just protect the people; it gave everyone a place in society. This stability made it easier for people to understand their place, and what task they would have to accomplish. Every class had certain jobs that they had to complete. Feudalism also allowed executive decisions to be made locally, instead of a higher class from far away, like traditional governments of this time period. Even though everyone was protected and had a place in society, Feudalism did have some downfalls. One of its’ greatest downfalls was, that it gave all of the power to the king, which left the lower classes with little to no say in their government. There was also a strict separation of the social classes, which slowed social development. This strict social separation left 90% of the population in the lower classes. These lower classes were also poorly educated, which means, that most of the population was poorly