The Rise of Feudalism in Medieval Europe
The Carolingian Empire and Its Collapse
In the late 8th century, Charlemagne, King of the Franks, united much of Western Europe. He proclaimed himself Emperor in 800 and developed written laws. After Charlemagne’s death, the empire was divided into different kingdoms, leading to instability and invasions by Vikings, Muslims, and Hungarians.
The Rise of Vassalage and Feudalism
The weakened monarchs needed help from nobles to maintain order and defend their territories. This led to the system of vassalage, where nobles pledged allegiance to the monarch in exchange for land. This marked the origin of feudalism. The old counts became large landowners and granted fiefs (feudal estates) to their children. Farmers sought protection in small towns.
Feudal Society
Feudal society was hierarchical and divided into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners (craftsmen and farmers). The clergy and nobility held privileged positions.
The Nobility
The nobility was responsible for military defense. The king, as the highest-ranking noble, commanded the army, collected taxes, and acted as the supreme judge. The Royal Court advised the king. Knights were warriors trained for combat. At 18, they could become knights and fight in wars, often to gain land and wealth.
The Church
The Church held significant power and influence. The clergy consisted of high-ranking officials (bishops and abbots) and lower clergy (priests and monks). They played a role in both social and private life. Peasants and artisans worked to support the clergy and the feudal lords.
The Peasantry
Lords granted land to their serfs and free peasants. The majority of the population were farmers who lived and died in the same social class.
- Free Peasants: Owned their land and made their own decisions.
- Serfs: Lacked personal freedom and were tied to the lord’s land. They worked for survival.
The Treaty of Verdun and the Fragmentation of the Empire
The Treaty of Verdun (843) formalized the division of Charlemagne’s empire among his successors, creating several independent kingdoms.
Life in the Manor
The Castle
Castles served as fortified residences for feudal lords and offered refuge to the inhabitants of the manor. Life in castles was simple, with minimal furnishings. Lords received their subjects, dispensed justice, and sometimes held feasts or parties. They also engaged in hunting. Women typically managed household tasks.
The Feudal Estate
- Fief: Land granted by the king or a noble to a feudal lord.
- Demesne: The lord’s personal land, including the castle, meadows, and forests.
The remaining land was worked by peasants (free or serfs).
The Tithe
The tithe was one-tenth of the peasants’ produce, given to the Church.
The Church and Monastic Life
The Church provided religious services such as baptism, marriage, and burial. It also promoted peace and established the Peace of God and Truce of God. Monasteries were centers of religious life, where monks prayed, read, copied manuscripts, and tended gardens. They followed strict rules and schedules. The Benedictine order was particularly influential.
Romanesque Art
Romanesque art (11th-13th centuries) was primarily religious.
Architecture
Churches, cathedrals, and monasteries were built of stone in the shape of a Latin cross. They had thick walls, barrel vaults, pillars, columns, and buttresses. Windows were few, narrow, and tall. Bell towers served as both a call to prayer and watchtowers. Cloisters provided areas for walking and prayer.
Decoration
Churches were decorated with religious paintings and sculptures. Frescoes were painted on wet plaster. Paintings on wood and miniatures in sacred books were also common.