Means of communication were disrupted, and roads plagued by robbers were neglected. The break up of the Roman empire had endangered industry, trade and commerce. Around their villas lived farmers and soldiers, who depended upon them. As the king could not rule effectively and punish barbarians, many nobles left their mansions in these cities and went to their rural villas for safety. Barbarians from Germany made the cities of Italy and Gaul unsafe. The central government was paralyzed and law and order broke down. During the six centuries following the death of Emperor Justinian (527565) many circumstances contributed to the evolution of feudalism. it difficult to protect their frontiers from barbarians. It seems the germs of feudalism could be found even before the days of Charlemagne, as the edicts of this emperor indicate the existence of a feudal society earlier. They were ready to surrender their land besides agreeing to render service and make certain payments. It rose, when people were desperately in need of protection to their lives and property, and were prepared to surrender their liberty to those who could protect them from violent hands. It must have been the result of Roman, German and Celtic practices. The evolution of feudal society was a spontaneous process. No king or law-giver created it by an order or decree. It took birth in critical times, when there was: anarchy, and security to life and property was at stake. Evolution:įeudalism was of a slow and irregular growth, It is difficult to say precisely how and when it was introduced. In the words of Stubbs, feudalism may be described as & complete organization of society through the medium of land tenure in which from the king down to the lowest landowner all are bound together by obligation and defense. The want of uniformity makes some writers Speak of feudalism instead of a feudal system. A study of feudal society in different countries shows that conditions were not the same everywhere, though the main principles were almost the same in all countries. Industry and trade had suffered much during barbarian Invasions, and it was difficult to sell goods and have each.įeudalism was comprehensive in its range, but it lacked regularity and-uniformity. Feudalism was developed at a time when land was the only source of wealth and power. The word feudalism is derived from the Latin word feudum, which means a fief or piece of land held by a vassal. The nobleman in return secured services and payments from those whom he protected.įeudalism was an organization of society through the medium of land. Those who needed protection secured it from a nobleman, who had his own army and retainers. It was a condition of society based on the principle of protection, service, and payments. Protection and Service:įeudalism was an important feature of medieval European civilization. This Topic about Feudalism in Europe.įeudalism, also called feudal system or feudality, French féodalité, historiographic construct designating the social, economic, and political conditions in western Europe during the early Middle Ages, the long stretch of time between the 5th and 12th centuries. It can be broadly defined as a system for structuring society around relationships derived from the holding of land, known as a fiefdom or fief, in exchange for service or labour. Feudalism was a set of legal and military customs in medieval Europe that flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries.
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