Discuss the features of feudalism in medieval Europe.
Discuss the features / characteristics of Feudalism in Medieval Europe.
Discuss the features of feudalism in medieval Europe.
Features of feudalism in medieval Europe: -
In medieval Europe, various regional powers and regulatory structures developed under the central power. The main theme of feudalism was decentralization of power. It was not possible for the central power, which ruled over a large territory, to govern and administer the whole of the state, to collect revenue, to wage war and to conduct armies. As a result, the central power decentralized power at the regional level, leaving local landowners in charge of governing and supplying troops at the local level. There are two distinct periods of development of feudalism in Western Europe - 1. The first era of feudalism which lasted from the ninth to the tenth century AD and 2.. The second era of feudalism which lasted from the eleventh to the twelfth century AD. The period from the ninth to the twelfth century is called the Classical Age of Feudalism. Features of feudalism in medieval Europe are -
1. Agriculture centric economy : - In the feudal system the economy was mainly dependent on agriculture. Since feudalism was village centered, feudal system was formed centering on the rural agrarian economy. Currency exchange had no such role in this types of economy.
2. Landlord : the basic unit of administration : - In feudal system power is decentralized and distributed among the local landlords. Therefore, in the local feudal system, the landlords were the main person in the system of governance. The landlords played a major role in governing, collecting revenue, arming troops and so on.
3. Dependence of the central power on the landlords: - The landlords collected revenue and provided troops to the central power or the king during the war. As a result, the central power of the king was largely dependent on the feudal lords. So , in the age of feudalism, the central power could never be the ultimate power.
4. Mutual relationship of landlords and peasants: - Although there was a relationship of interdependence between landlords and peasants, that relationship was actually a relationship between the ruler and the exploited. At that time feudal lords used to exploit the farmers by imposing various taxes. The rate of revenue was extremely high. Besides, the peasants and ‘Villein ‘were forced to do unpaid labour.
5. Different types of taxes imposed on farmers: - Different types of taxes and revenue were prevalent in the feudal system. Such as - Property Tax or Taille, Unpaid Labor or Corvee, Production Tax or Metayage, Product Sales Tax or Benalities, Capitatio for Land Slaves, Prestation Tax at Harvest. Churches also levied ‘tithe’ or religious taxes on farmers.
6. Organization of the Armed Forces: - Since feudalism originated primarily for the sake of internal security, each feudal lord had to employ a well-organized army. Their main functions were - (a) to repel foreign invasions and (b) to provide troops to the central power or king during war. The heroic warriors were known as "Knights".
7. Manor House and Manor Lord: - Manor House was the main organizational unit of feudalism. One manor house was built around each village and it was from this manor house that the feudal lords maintained their control over the village. Keeping the farmers engaged in agriculture, revenue collection, production and land management - everything was run from the Manor House.
8. Manor Fort : - In the feudal system, along with the Manor House, the presence of the Manor Fort can also be noticed. Manor forts were built primarily for safety and to protect against natural disasters. These forts were surrounded by security forces.
9. Emergence of obedient class: - A major feature of the feudal system was the obedience of the subordinate authority to the superior authority. All the individuals in the feudal pyramid and the lower feudal lords tried to please the higher authorities.
10. Disruption of production of manufactured goods: - Since the feudal system was completely rural and dependent on agriculture, production of manufactured goods continued to be disrupted during this period. Agricultural production alone was not able to satisfy all human needs.
11. Lack of modernity in the agricultural system: - Agriculture was the basis of the economy in the feudal system. But agriculture was based on primitive methods. No modern machinery or technology was used in agriculture. On the other hand, as the population continued to grow, traditional production systems were unable to keep pace with demand.
12. Lower and backward system: - The feudal system was far behind the modern socio-economic system. The system was downward and showed no signs of progress or modernity.
(i) The agricultural system was conventional,
(ii) There was no touch of modernity in agriculture,
(iii) The feudal lords did not show any interest in the practice of knowledge and science,
(iv) Variability in society was very low,
(v) Human life was not completely safe,
(vi) The practice of slavery existed in the society,
(vii) Exploitation on farmers continued,
(viii) Production of manufactured goods was very low,
(ix) Decline of civic society .
For all these reasons, the feudal system is called an inferior and backward system.
0 comments