PENGUIN STUDY GUIDE CH. 3

Chapter 3
Feudalism and Serfdom

Feudalism began after the break up of the Carolingian Empire. Trade decline and the downfall of town life were key factors. None of the main Carolingian government hubs were prominent trade centers. Lack of communication among regions resulted in a weak central government. This caused regions to split into their own self-sufficient domains versus the ‘great domain’ of the Carolingian Empire.

A domain was an estate in, or a series of estates. A landlord controlled the domain. Landlords were kings, monasteries, powerful noblemen ect. The estate was divided into two sections, a smaller one for the needs of the lord and the rest divided up into holding among his tenants. The tenants worked the land for the lord as well as themselves. This system had evolved naturally. The tenants’ sought protection granted by the lords in exchange for self-sufficiency given by the tenants who worked the land on agreement never to leave or be kicked out by the lord. The need for protection is how many became serfs. Serfs not only gave up their freedom but the freedom of their descendants as well (although not the same as a slave).

A vassal gave his verbal homage to the lord. Unlike the vassal from the Carolingian Empire they passed their status on through kin. Vassals were granted control of their own “smaller domain” it was not uncommon for vassals to appoint their own vassals and so forth. The concept of lords, vassals and serfs is what makes up the feudal system. Decision-making was left to the aristocracy of the top. The force of heredity perpetuated their authority and privileged position and what they did with these advantages depended very much on individual character.