Feudalism as a natural step in the development of human society occupies an important place in history. The system appeared at the end of antiquity and lasted in some countries until the nineteenth century.
New production method
So, the feudal system that replaced the slave system was, by definition, more progressive. The most dynamic part of medieval society - warriors and princes - seized fertile free lands, turning them into their own property. Its base was a large land holding, which was divided into two parts: the master's estate with the estate and settlements with dependent peasants. The part of the property that belonged to the owner was called the "domain". At the same time, a special domain of the ruler of the country was singled out, which he was free to dispose of at his own discretion. This, in addition to arable land, also included forests, meadows, reservoirs.
The large size of the estate made it possible to produce everything necessary for life, so this economic system was closed, and in history it was called "subsistence farming". Those goods that were in short supply on the farm could bereceived as a result of an exchange with another feudal estate. The peasants living in it were not personally free and were obliged to bear a certain list of duties in favor of the master.
Hierarchy of medieval society
This is how the feudal ladder was formed, that is, the position of social groups that demonstrated their status in society. This is a kind of pyramid, at the top of which was the supreme ruler, the first feudal lord of the country - the prince or king (depending on the state).
So what are the differences of the feudal ladder? They are easy enough to explain. The monarch had loyal assistants who were en titled to pay for their service. If in the early stages the head of state allowed them to collect taxes from the population and keep part of them as payment, then later the system was improved. Now the ruler from his domain granted his servants - vassals - a land plot inhabited by dependent categories of the population.
Land ownership was hereditary, but the supreme right to it belonged to the overlord, so in case of betrayal of the vassal, he could take the estate. Major subjects of the king also had servants who needed to be supported. The feudal lords from their own estates granted them land plots with a certain number of serfs. The size of these allotments depended on the importance of this person for the overlord.
Finally, at the bottom of the feudal class were simple knights who no longer had the opportunity to allocate servants with land. And inAt the base of the pyramid was the "engine" of this entire system - the serfs. Thus, those who entered the feudal ladder were the main classes of medieval society.
Principles of the world order in Europe
The feudal ladder, or (in other words) hierarchy, was a rigid structure. It practically lacked any mobility. Having been born a serf, a person died with him, the opportunity to change his social position was minimal. This gave medieval society a certain stability bordering on stagnation.
The development of feudalism is almost identical in all countries. Initially, a vast state was created, which was a conglomerate of tribes and tribal associations of various levels. Then these territories, within the framework of a single sovereignty, received certain assistance, grew, strengthened, which subsequently led to their unwillingness to obey the supreme ruler. Former major powers were turning into a “patchwork quilt” woven from counties, principalities and other feudal units of different size and development.
So begins the period of collapse of the once united state. The large subsistence farms of the feudal era also had their advantages. So, it was unprofitable for the owner to ruin his own peasants, he supported them in various ways. But this had the opposite effect - the enslavement of the population increased.
Relations of immunity implied the right of complete suzerainty, which meant for the peasants both protection and submission. And if inAt first, personal freedom remained with them in full, then gradually they lost it in return for a stable existence.
Ethnic differences of the system
The medieval feudal staircase had its own national nuances. The interpretation of vassal-seigneurial relations was different, say, in France and England. Their development on the British Peninsula was slower than in continental Europe. Therefore, a full-fledged feudal ladder in England was finally formed by the middle of the twelfth century.
Carrying out a comparative description of these two camps, we can distinguish the general and the special. In particular, in France the rule "the vassal of my vassal is not my vassal" was in effect, which meant the exclusion of mutual subordination in the feudal hierarchy. This gave a certain stability to society. But at the same time, many landowners understood this right too literally, which sometimes led to conflict with the royal power.
In England, the rule was diametrically opposed. It was as a result of the belated feudal development that the rule “the vassal of my vassal is my vassal” was in effect here. In reality, this meant that the entire population of the country must obey the monarch, regardless of seniority. But in general, the feudal staircase in all countries looked about the same.
Relationship of socio-economic processes
In general, classical feudalism was replaced by a period of feudal fragmentation,into which Europe has plunged since the tenth century. Until the thirteenth century, there was a process of gradual centralization and the creation of nation-states on the basis of already new conditions. Feudal relations changed, but remained in Europe until the 16th-17th centuries, and if we take Russia into account, then almost until the 19th century.
The process of centralization, begun in Russia also in the 13th century, was interrupted by the invasion of the Mongol conquerors, which caused such a long existence of feudal remnants in our country. Only after the abolition of serfdom in 1861 did Russia embark on the capitalist path of development with two feet.
