Feudalism was a set of military, legal, cultural, economic and political customs that shaped the society in medieval Europe. The primary idea was to create a system to provide feudal lords with land revenue, taxes and a standing army by entering into an agreement with the peasants in exchange for protection.
Medieval Europe fell into a period of turmoil and constant warfare following the fall of the Roman Empire in the late fifth century. Kings struggled to efficiently govern and defend their lands. Feudalism arose as a new system in response to the disintegration of centralization and the increase in the number of mounted knights.
Local lords emerged as the supreme forces on the regional scale and swore their loyalty to kings. The regional lords would in turn distribute lands to local vessels in return for loyalty and military support.
The development of feudalism as a political system also took place in Japan independently of Europe.
Let’s explore all you need to know about the foundational elements of feudalism, including its historical origins, how it worked as an economic system, and its eventual decline as the most popular form of political organization in Europe.
Why did Feudalism develop?
Feudalism developed in Europe to fulfil the need to organize society and protect the surrounding land from invasion. This system allowed leaders to create larger territories that were easy to defend and better able to grow and prosper. The four primary causes for the development of feudalism in Europe were:
Defensive Advantages
The defence capabilities offered by The lord-vassal relationships offered better defensive capabilities by creating a built-in security system for all parties during a time when no large kingdoms existed. Lords would protect the serfs staying on their land from outside threats such as looters and neighbouring lands with armies. In exchange, the lords could count on the serfs for manpower if they faced military aggression from another entity.
Economic Opportunity
The medieval ages were a time when it was difficult to amass wealth. However, the feudal system provided a way for the commoners to earn a wage and gain access to land, resources and livestock by entering into the contract with the landowners. In return, the lords got the opportunity to focus their attention on governing and acquiring more lands and resources through their agreements of vassalage with the serfs.
Political Influence
The feudal system gave lords taxation rights and legal authority over the subjects residing in the territories or kingships under their jurisdiction. These privileges provided lords with immense political influence, allowing them to have sway over local politics in their respective domains through personal connections, even if they were not the rulers of entire kingdoms or empires. The lords regularly made use of court intrigue and their relationships with other lords of the realm to influence kings and emperors.
Religion
Christianity was a powerful and influential force during the middle ages, intertwined with daily life so much that everyone was obliged to follow the religious laws laid down by the Church, with anyone failing to do so facing dire consequences. The system of feudalism appealed to the Church as it offered an organized social order while allowing the people to practice their Christian beliefs without any fear of prosecution.
Thus, the Church helped reinforce the hierarchies that existed within feudalism to incentivize lords and peasants to foster loyalties that enabled them to abide by Christian ideals.
Why did feudalism develop in Japan?
Feudalism developed in Japan as rapid social change during the 12th century gave rise to the need for order and stability. Medieval Japan was rife with internal warfare; The early rulers found it tough to extend their control over large swathes of land.
The Japanese rulers developed feudalism to assert their power over local warlords and other social classes. The control gained through this system allowed the Japanese elite to replace tribal loyalty with loyalty to the state, allowing Japan to project their authority against foreign powers