feudalism and feudal society) - a type of agrarian society in which land ownership is due to military or other service, in which there is a hierarchy political power, based on contractual rights and obligations, usually with a monarch at the head, and non-free peasants cultivate the land like serfs. This term is widely debated, and its definition could be disputed by many participants in the dispute. The main areas of debate are as follows: (a) whether feudalism developed only in Europe and Japan or was more widespread. According to the majority, much of Western Europe period 1000-1400 (that is, the Middle Ages) can be described as feudal, characteristic of later Eastern Europe. In Japan, during the reign of the Tokugawa Dynasty (1603-1868), there were key similarities with Europe, and the term was widely used; (b) whether feudalism is assessed as a form of society or is it a collection of institutions that can be found in a number of societies. When evaluating feudalism in the latter sense, political or economic aspects are taken into account. Political includes the domination of a militarized group of landowners and a hierarchy of vassal dependence, that is, subordinates must be loyal and be on military service from a superior, who in exchange provides protection and promotion to the vassal. In Europe, a chain of similar relations has developed from the monarch down. In economic terms, this is a concentration around land ownership that produces products (in Europe - flax), and the peasants are not free serfs and by different forms rents give the surplus product to the landlord. Typically, production was not for the market, although the markets were developing. If an institutional approach is adopted, then feudal land tenure can be identified in societies where feudal political relations did not exist (in particular, in the haciendas of colonial Spanish America). However, in modern sociology (for example, Mann, 1986; Anderson, 1974), preference is given to the definition of feudalism as a type of society that includes specific political, economic, social and, more problematically, ideological or cultural elements, although it is recognized (for example, by Anderson) the differences between South, West and Eastern Europe... It is this social approach that leads to the identification of the few examples of feudalism in the world. Some Marxists, like Anderson, adhere to limited use of the term, while others, influenced by Maoist writings, identify feudalism with a variety of agrarian societies. See also Feudal Production.
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Feudal society was considered an almost universal form of government for Eurasia. Most of the peoples who inhabited it went through this system. Next, we will consider in more detail what a feudal society was.
Characteristic
Despite certain changes in the relationship between the consumer and the manufacturer, the latter remained in absolute dependence on the former. The feudal was based on a certain way of doing economic activity. The direct producer had his own farm. However, he remained dependent as a slave. Coercion was expressed in rent. It could be presented in the form of corvee (labor wages), quitrent (products), or expressed in money. The rent was firmly established. This gave the direct producer a certain freedom in the conduct of his economic activities. These features of feudal society were especially pronounced during the transition to compulsory monetary payments. In this case, the farmer's freedom was expressed in the ability to sell his products himself.
Signs of a feudal society
Can be distinguished specific traits such a society:
- predominance of subsistence farming;
- a combination of small peasant land tenure and large feudal land tenure;
- personal dependence of the direct producer. Non-economic forced labor and product distribution;
- routine and outdated state of the art;
- the presence of rental relations (compulsory payments were made for the use of land).
However, specific features of the feudal society were also noticeable:
- the dominance of a religious outlook (in this historical period, the church played a special role);
- feudal society was distinguished by the extensive development of corporate organizations;
- hierarchical structure;
- there were estates of feudal society.
Classic model
The most vividly feudal society was developed in France. However, this system was more extended to the state, and not the economic structure of the country. Nevertheless, it was in France that the estates of feudal society were very clearly formed. They were presented in the form of a vassal ladder. Its economic meaning was in the redistribution of compulsory payments between the layers of the ruling class. By order of the overlord, the vassals collected the militia at their own expense. It guarded the borders and represented, in fact, an apparatus for non-economic coercion of the peasants. Such a system, according to which feudal society existed, often failed. As a result, France became a site for national and internecine wars. Particularly hard for the country was the consequences of the war with England in the 14-15th centuries. However, it was this war that accelerated the liberation of the peasants from dependence. This was due to the fact that the king needed soldiers. It was free peasants who could become a resource for a mass mercenary army with artillery. Despite the introduction of the ransom, the economic situation of the dependent people did not actually improve as taxes and redemption payments replaced feudal rent.
Agricultural specialization
It should be noted that by the 14th century France was conditionally divided into several zones. For example, the central and northern parts of it were considered the main granary, the southern one - the base of winemaking. At the same time, the superiority of one of the areas in economic terms began to appear. In particular, the three-field system began to be established in Northern France.
Features of the development of the economy of England
The feudal society of this country had several differences from the French system. In England, the centralization of government was more pronounced. This was due to the conquest of the country by the feudal lords in 1066. A general census was carried out. She showed that the structure of a feudal society with estates had been built by that time. However, unlike the French, the English owners were vassals of the king himself. The next feature that English feudal society possessed concerns the technological basis of the estate itself. Favorable seaside ecology contributed to the active development of sheep breeding and raw wool production. The latter was the subject of great demand throughout the entire territory.The sale of wool, which was carried out not only by feudal lords, but also by peasants, contributed to the replacement of serf labor with hired work, and natural quitrent with rent in monetary terms (commutation).
Crucial moment
In 1381 it happened popular uprising under the direction of Wat Tyler. As a result, there was an almost complete commutation, and then the redemption by the peasants of their own feudal duties. Almost everyone had become personally free by the 15th century. They fell into two categories: copyholders and freeholders. The former paid rent for allotments, while the latter were considered absolutely free holders of land. Thus, the gentry formed - the new nobility - which led economic activity only on hired labor.
System development in Germany
In this country, the structure of feudal society was formed later than in France and England. The fact is that the individual regions of Germany were torn off from each other, in connection with this, a single state did not work out. The capture of the Slavic lands by German feudal lords was of no small importance. This contributed to a significant increase in the cultivated area. In the course of time, internal territorial colonization by peasants of the regions east of the Elbe began to develop. They were provided with preferential conditions and minimal dependence on the feudal lords. However, in the 15th century, the owners of estates in the eastern part of Germany took advantage of the export of grain to England and Holland through the Baltic ports and carried out the absolute enslavement of privileged peasants. The owners created extensive plots and transferred them to corvee. The term "land beyond the Elbe" began to symbolize the development of late feudalism.
Features of the development of the system in Japan
The economy of this country had many differences from the European one. First of all, there was no master's plowing in Japan. Consequently, there was no corvée or serfdom here. Secondly, National economy Japan operated within the framework of feudal fragmentation that had developed over the course of many centuries. The country was dominated by small peasant farms based on hereditary land ownership. She, in turn, belonged to the feudal lords. Natural rent in the form of rice was used as rent. Due to the feudal fragmentation, a lot of principalities were formed. They were attended by service troops, which consisted of samurai knights. As a reward for service, the soldiers received rice rations from the princes. The samurai did not have their own estates. As for the Japanese cities, then a feudal system took place in them, as well as in Europe. Craftsmen were united in workshops, merchants in guilds. Trade was rather poorly developed. The lack of a single market was explained by feudal fragmentation... Japan was closed to foreigners. Manufactures in the country were in their infancy.
Features of the system device in Russia
The classes of feudal society took shape rather late in comparison with other countries. In the 15th century, a service army appeared. It was made up of landowners (nobles). They were the owners of the estates and at their own expense were sent to the forced service every summer. By autumn they were allowed to go home. The transfer of estates was carried out from father to son by inheritance. In accordance with the year 1649, the peasants were permanently attached to the holdings on the territory of which they lived, becoming serfs. In Europe, by this time, many of the representatives of this class were becoming free. The service rent was used as a duty. In the 17th century, corvee could go up to 4 days a week. By the second half of the 16th century, large regional markets began to form, and by the 17th century, trade relations had acquired a national scale. Novgorod became the center in the northwestern part of the state. It was an aristocratic republic dominated by the wealthy classes of feudal society. Their representatives, in particular, were merchants and landowners (boyars). The bulk of the Novgorod population consisted of "black people" - artisans. Kazan is worth highlighting among the most important livestock markets of that time. The main center of trade for the entire state was Moscow. Here they sold furs, silk, woolen products, hardware, bread, bacon and other foreign and domestic goods.
Credit development
Subsistence farming was the main form of business. This was the distinguishing feature of early feudal society. Capitalist production began to emerge on the basis of simple cooperation, and then manufacture. Money began to participate in servicing simple commodity circulation. These funds participated in the movement of usurious and merchant capital. Banks began to emerge. They were originally a store of money. The money-changing business was developing. From the 18th century, settlements for merchant operations began to spread. In connection with the increase in the needs of states, the budget began to form.
Market relations
The development of foreign and domestic trade was significantly influenced by the growth of cities in Western European territory. They formed, first of all, the local market. Here, the exchange of products of urban and rural artisans took place. In the 14-15th centuries, single markets began to form. They became economic centers of some kind. feudal states... Among the largest are London and Paris. At the same time, domestic trade was rather poorly developed. This was due to the natural nature of the economy. In addition, the development of domestic trade was slowed down by fragmentation, due to which duties were collected in each lord. Traded a certain kind merchants united in guilds. These closed associations regulated the rules and composition of the market turnover.
In the Middle Ages, people were divided into classes of praying, fighting and working. These estates differed in their rights and duties, which were established by laws and customs.
The class of the belligerents (feudal lords) included the descendants of noble people of barbarian tribes and noble inhabitants of the Western Roman Empire conquered by them.
The position of the belligerents was different. The richest ruled entire regions, and some simple knights were sometimes very poor. However, only feudal lords had the right to own land and rule over other people.
In the class of workers went both the descendants of the impoverished free people from among the barbarians and Roman citizens, and the descendants of slaves and colonies. The overwhelming majority of those who worked were peasants. They were divided into two categories. Some peasants remained free people, but lived on the lands of the feudal lords. The feud was divided into master's land and peasant allotments. It was believed that these allotments to the peasants were provided by the feudal lord. For this, the peasants worked on the master's land (corvee) and paid taxes to the feudal lord (quitrent). The feudal lord promised the population of his feud, levied fines for breaking laws. Another category of peasants was called serfs. They were considered "attached" to their allotments and could not leave them. The obligations of the serfs (corvee, quitrent) were heavier than those of the free. They were in personal dependence on the feudal lords, they were sold and bought together with the land. The property of the serfs was considered the property of the lord. Serf servants were in fact in the position of slaves.
In addition to the belligerents and workers, there was a class of worshipers. He was considered the main one and was called the first. It was believed that a feudal lord or a peasant was not able to fully comprehend the full depth of the teachings of Christ and independently communicate with God. Besides, people are constantly tempted by the devil. Only the Christian church and its ministers - the clergy - could explain to everyone the divine laws, connect a person with God, protect him from the wiles of the devil and atone for his sins before God. The main duty of the class of worshipers was worship. The priests also baptized children, married newlyweds, accepted the confession of the repentant and forgave them their sins, and gave communion to the dying.
Unlike the fighting and working people, the clergy was an open class. Priests could be natives of two other estates. To maintain the first estate, workers were charged a tenth of the income (church tithe). In the direct possession of the church were considerable lands.
More on the topic Three estates of feudal society .:
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- Features of the social structure of Indian feudal society in the early Middle Ages. Caste system.
- Forms of feudal land ownership and feudal rent.
- THEME 13 Church of feudal time Processes of integration and disintegration in the socio-political life of Europe. Feudal culture
In the Middle Ages, it was believed that society was divided into "those who pray" - the clergy, "those who fight" - knights and "those who work" - peasants. All these estates were, as it were, parts of one body. In fact, the hierarchical structure of society that emerged in the Middle Ages was much more complex and interesting.
You will also learn how a real knight should look and behave.
Topic:Feudal system of Western Europe
Lesson:Feudal society
In the Middle Ages, it was believed that society was divided into "those who pray" - the clergy, "those who fight" - knights and "those who work" - peasants. All these estates were, as it were, parts of one body. In fact, the hierarchical structure of society that arose in the Middle Ages was much more complicated and interesting. And you will also learn how a real knight should look and behave.
By the middle of the XI century. a social system was established in Europe, which modern historians call feudal... Power in society belonged to the feudal landowners, secular and ecclesiastical. The overwhelming majority of the population were dependent peasants. The privileges and duties of masters and peasants took shape in certain customs, written laws and regulations.
Each large feudal lord distributed part of the land with the peasants to small feudal lords as a reward for their service, and they gave him an oath of allegiance. He was considered in relation to these feudal lords senor(senior), and the feudal lords, who, as it were, "kept" the land from him, became his vassals(subordinates). The vassal was obliged, by order of the seigneur, to go on a campaign and bring a detachment of soldiers with him, participate in the seigneur's court, help him with advice, and redeem the seigneur from captivity. The senior defended his vassals from the attacks of other feudal lords and rebellious peasants, rewarded them for their service, was obliged to take care of their orphaned children. It happened that the vassals opposed their lords, did not follow their orders, or went over to another lord. And then only by force could they be forced to obey, especially if the lord forced the vassals to participate in the war for too long or poorly rewarded them for service.
The king was considered the head of all feudal lords and the first seigneur of the country: he was the supreme judge in disputes between them and during the war led the army. The king was a lord for the highest nobility (aristocracy) - dukes and earls. Below stood the barons and viscounts - vassals of dukes and earls. The barons were lords of knights who no longer had their vassals. Vassals were to obey only their lords. If they were not vassals of the king, then they might not follow his orders. This order was fixed by the rule: "The vassal of my vassal is not my vassal." Relations between the feudal lords resembled a staircase, on the upper steps of which stood the largest feudal lords, on the lower ones - the middle ones, even lower - the small ones. Historians call such an organization of feudal lords feudal staircase.
Rice. 1. Feudal staircase ()
Feudal law also regulated the relationship between the masters and their dependent peasants. For example, a peasant community had the right to disobey the lord if he demanded a tax higher than that provided for by the custom of this community or by an agreement between the peasants and the lord of the land. When a war began with another state, the king summoned dukes and counts to campaign, and they turned to the barons, who brought troops of knights with them. This is how the feudal army was created, which is usually called the knightly.
Since the VIII century. Many castles were built in Europe to protect against attacks by the Normans and Hungarians. Gradually, each gentleman tried to build himself a castle, depending on the possibilities - huge or modest. The castle is the home of the feudal lord and his fortress. At first, castles were built from wood, later from stone. Powerful walls with crenellated towers served reliable protection... The castle was often erected on a hill or high rock, surrounded by a wide moat with water. Sometimes it was built on an island in the middle of a river or lake. A drawbridge was thrown over a ditch or channel, at night and when the enemy attacked it was raised on chains. From the tower above the gate, she constantly surveyed the surroundings of the guard and, noticing the enemy in the distance, sounded an alarm. Then the soldiers rushed to take their places on the walls and in the towers. To get into the castle, many obstacles had to be overcome. Enemies had to fill up the moat, by open space overcome the hill, approach the walls, climb them along the assigned assault ladders, or smash the oak, iron-bound gates with a battering ram. On the heads of the enemies, the defenders of the castle threw stones and logs, poured boiling water and hot tar, threw spears, showered them with arrows. Often the attackers had to storm a second, even higher wall.
Rice. 2. Medieval castle in Spain ()
The main tower, the donjon, towered over all the buildings. In it, the feudal lord with his soldiers and servants could withstand a long siege, if other fortifications were already captured. Inside the tower, one above the other, were the halls. V basement made a well and stored food supplies. Prisoners languished nearby in a damp and dark dungeon. A secret underground passage was usually dug from the basement, which led to a river or forest.
Military affairs became the occupation of almost exclusively feudal lords, and so it was for many centuries. The feudal lord often fought all his life. The knight was armed with a great sword and a long spear; quite often he also used a battle ax and a club - a heavy club with a thickened metal end. The knight could cover himself with a large shield from head to toe. The knight's body was protected by chain mail - a shirt woven from iron rings (sometimes in 2-3 layers) and reaching the knees. Later, the chain mail was replaced by armor - armor made of steel plates. The knight put on a helmet on his head, and in a moment of danger he lowered a visor on his face - a metal plate with slits for the eyes. Knights fought on strong, hardy horses, which were also protected by armor. The knight was accompanied by a squire and several armed soldiers, horse and foot, - a whole "combat unit". Feudal lords prepared for military service from childhood. They constantly practiced fencing, horseback riding, wrestling, swimming and spear throwing, learned the techniques and tactics of combat.
Rice. 3. Knight and squire ()
Noble knights considered themselves "noble" people, were proud of the antiquity of their families and the number of famous ancestors. The knight had his own coat of arms - a distinctive sign of the family and a motto - a short dictum, usually explaining the meaning of the coat of arms. The knights did not hesitate to plunder the vanquished, their own peasants, and even those passing by on the highways. At the same time, the knight was supposed to despise prudence, thrift, but show generosity. The income received from the peasants and the spoils of war were most often spent on gifts, feasts and treats to friends, hunting, expensive clothes, for the maintenance of servants and soldiers. Others important quality knight was considered loyalty to the king and lord. It was his main duty... And treason laid the brand of shame on the whole race of the traitor. “Whoever cheats on his liege must be punished by right,” says one of the poems. In the legends about the knights, courage, prowess, contempt for death, nobility were glorified. This elaborated code (laws) of knightly honor included other special rules: a knight must seek exploits, fight the enemies of the Christian faith, defend the honor of ladies, as well as the weak and offended, especially widows and orphans, be fair and gallant. But these rules knightly honor were used mainly in relations between feudal lords. All those who were considered "ignoble" were despised by the knights, behaved with them in a lofty and cruel manner.
Bibliography
1. Agibalova E. V., Donskoy G. M. History of the Middle Ages. - M., 2012.
2. Atlas of the Middle Ages: History. Traditions. - M., 2000.
3. Illustrated The World History: from ancient times to the 17th century. - M., 1999.
4. History of the Middle Ages: Book. for reading / Ed. V.P. Budanova. - M., 1999.
5. Kalashnikov V. Mysteries of history: the Middle Ages / V. Kalashnikov. - M., 2002.
6. Stories on the history of the Middle Ages / Ed. A. A. Svanidze. - M., 1996.
Homework
1. Name the three estates of medieval society
2. Why did the peasants not enter the feudal ladder?
3. What rights and obligations were associated with lords and vassals?
4. Describe a medieval castle
5. What weapons did the knights use?
6. What are the main provisions of the code of knightly honor?