The Feudal System Essay

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The feudal system of ancient Europe may be dead, but its format is similar to high school athletics today. Although these two topics are not identical, the resemblance is striking. The feudal system, as well as high school athletics, has five tiers in a pyramid. At the top of the pyramid is the Pope. His purpose is to oversee everyone and make sure all is well is his land. Similar to the pope is the superintendant of a school. The superintendant’s job is to oversee the all the school district programs in his/her school. Popes and superintendant alike, they are unable to do all of this alone. Both of the top tier leaders pass their property down the pyramid in exchange for something. In the Pope’s case, he exchanges land for physical protection …show more content…

Kings rule individual kingdoms given to them by the Pope. ADs rule the athletic department of a school given to them by the superintendant. The second level leaders in both circumstances have a bit too much on their plates to handle. The king cannot possibly maintain an entire kingdom by himself, and the AD is unable to handle an entire department. Both will split up their gift from the pope even further with the third tier. Lords are on the third level of the social class pyramid. Lords swear loyalty and physical protection to the king for his land. Today’s equivalent is coaches of a team. Coaches are hired by the athletic director, but instead of land they receive a job and a pay check. The coach’s job is to win games and protect the AD’s reputation and for his/her area to excel. The second to last level contains the knights. Knights are armored warriors who are loyal and protect their lords. In exchange for the knights bravery in battle they receive land of their own. In high school athletics captains of a team are similar to the knights. Both knights and captains protect the reputation of the tier above by winning battles or going on to compete in college. Knights wear armor into battle to signify that they are the knights. In some sports captains may do something special to signify their superiority. For example, in soccer captains wear armbands, in football captains go to the center of the field for the coin

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