Feudal Contract: Feudalism operated on the principle of a feudal contract, which was an agreement between a lord (usually a noble) and a vassal (typically a knight or lesser noble). The lord granted land, called a fief, to the vassal in exchange for certain services and obligations.
Land Tenure: The lord owned the land and allowed the vassal to use and cultivate it. The vassal became a tenant of the lord and received income from the land, often in the form of crops or goods produced.
Military Service: The vassal had an obligation to provide military service to the lord. This included fighting in the lord’s army, providing a certain number of armed men when required, and participating in military campaigns or defensive actions.
Loyalty and Oaths: Vassals swore an oath of fealty, a formal pledge of loyalty, to their lord. They promised to serve and protect the lord, uphold their interests, and provide counsel when needed.
Protection and Support: In return for the vassal’s military service and loyalty, the lord provided protection and support. The lord defended the vassal’s rights, resolved disputes, and offered military assistance when necessary.
Subinfeudation: Vassals could also have vassals of their own, creating a hierarchical structure within the feudal system. This practice, known as subinfeudation, allowed vassals to grant portions of their fiefs to lesser vassals in exchange for their loyalty and service.
Feudal Hierarchy: Feudalism operated on a pyramid-like structure, with the king or monarch at the top, followed by powerful nobles and lords, and cascading down to lesser vassals and knights. Each vassal owed fealty and allegiance to their immediate lord, and the obligations and privileges flowed up and down the hierarchy.
Manorialism: Feudalism was closely linked to the manorial system. Lords often held manors, which were self-sufficient agricultural estates. The lord provided protection and justice to the peasants (serfs) who worked the land, while the serfs provided labor and produced goods for the lord.
Feudalism served as a system of social and political organization during the medieval period, offering structure, protection, and obligations to both lords and vassals.
It helped maintain stability and order in a fragmented political landscape, although it also led to localized power and limited central authority. Over time, feudalism gradually gave way to other forms of governance and social organization.
