Reasons for the emergence of feudalism in medieval Europe: -
Discuss the reasons for the emergence of feudalism in medieval Europe.
Reasons for the emergence of feudalism in medieval Europe: -
The emergence of feudalism in medieval Europe was not an immediate or isolated event. The most prosperous period of feudalism was originally from the ninth to the twelfth century AD. This is why this period is called the classical era of feudalism. Historian Marc Bloch mentions the origin of feudalism - ‘’ Feudalism was born in the midst of an infinitely troubled epoch, and in some measure it was the child of those troubles themselves. ‘’ The various reasons for the emergence of feudalism are -
1. Political Uncertainty and Anarchy: - After the end of Carolingian rule, there was widespread political unrest in medieval Europe. The state apparatus was being run aimlessly due to an unprecedented anarchy in all areas of administration, production, distribution. There was a need to overcome all these political uncertainties and build a new kind of administrative structure.
2. Foreign invasions: - In the early ninth century, the general public life and state system of Europe was disrupted by the invasions of barbaric nations like Vikings, Saracens, Magias etc. In a very short time land ownership and social classification began to change. Essential state duties continue to be performed privately. Human life, property and security become uncertain.
3. Benfish System :- At the beginning of the ninth century, people all over Europe began to surrender to local influential people or leaders in order to protect their lives and property. In this case the patron became the Lord. They provided security for the lives and property of the asylum seekers and in return took allegiance to the asylum seekers. This practice was known as Benefish. This was the beginning stage of feudalism.
4. Comitatus practice: - Comitatus practice was originally prevalent in ancient Germany. According to this custom, independent warriors were loyal to a powerful and influential monarchy or military leader. In return, the royal or military leader provided security and shelter to loyal fighters. Then in the ninth century, during the period of chaos, this practice was followed all over Europe.
5. The interdependence of the loyalists and the patrons: - In the ninth century, with the advent of political anarchy, the notion of loyal and patrons became widespread in European society. The loyal class showed loyalty to influential people in exchange for shelter and security. This social concept was the structural basis of the feudal system.
6. The breakdown of the economic system: - From the ninth century onwards, almost the whole of Europe, including Western Europe, collapsed due to political uncertainty. The state's control over the economic system declined. As a result, Europe's economy began to operate at the local level, centered around the village and influential people. This economic structure is basically followed in feudalism.
7. Rise of the regional power: - With the fall of the Roman Empire, the central power began to weaken throughout Europe. This weakness of the central power naturally leads to the rapid rise of regional powers. These regional powers initiated independent agrarian economies in their respective areas.
8. Deterioration in trade: From the ninth century onwards, due to foreign invasions, the weakness of the central powers, etc., led to a sharp decline in European trade. As a result, there was no other way but to depend on land. People leave uncertain trade and commerce and build agro-based financial structures under local lords.
9. Muslim invasions: - In the ninth century, due to the weakness of the European Central Powers, there were frequent foreign invasions. But the Muslim invasion was a matter of terror to the Europeans. So people tend to remember the powerful Lord at the local level. Thus began a new rural, agrarian economic system based on interdependence at the regional level - known as feudalism.
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