Know 9 Features of Feudalism for Your Next History Dissertation

Feudalism is considered the dominant social system in mediaeval Europe. Further, it was characterised by a hierarchical social structure and decentralised power. But if you face any issue with your history thesis regarding feudalism, you can get assistance from history dissertation topics. Nevertheless, its main key features may involve a system of lords, vassals, and others. Vassals can provide military services and other obligations in exchange for land and protection from their Lord. Whereas, peasants are often bound to the land as serfs and form the base of the social pyramid. The following are some of the various features of feudalism for your next history dissertation.

Know Various Characteristics of Feudalism

You might know that feudalism consists of various fields. They may involve manor, demesne, castle, and others. Feudalism was considered a social, economic, and political system prevalent in mediaeval Europe. It is characterised by a hierarchical structure and reciprocal connection between lords and vassals. Though it was based on land ownership and military services. Moreover, the ceremony of homage was also one of the features of feudalism. It was organised to cement the bond between the Lord and the Vassal. Below are some of the various characteristics of feudalism.

Castle

The castle was considered the chief characteristic of feudalism. Thus, the feudal lords lived in huge castles or forts. The court and living house of the lord existed inside the castle. Further, the lords stirred arms and weapons and found gains inside the castle. It also provides shelter to common people at times of external invasion. Do you know that there is a strong and high wall with towers at intervals around the castle? It was surrounded by a wide ditch or moat.

Manor

The manor was another crucial feature of feudalism. The land associated with the caste was often known as a manor. It includes fields, cottages, and a church. You may know that it is run by the Lord, it was like a small estate. Further, a feudal lord has one or more manors. In case you are facing difficulty in comprehending the features of feudalism, you can get assistance from tools like Assignment Desk for effortless results.

Demense

One of the other features of feudalism was demesne. After the distribution of land among his serfs, whatever land remained with him was known as Demense. Thus, this law belonged to the lord, which he could use according to his whims and caprices. Although the best lad in the manor is kept for the lord's use. Also, peasants and serfs are required to work the demesne a few days a week. Next, the produce from the demesne directly goes to the lord's table.

The Knight

The knight is also one of the other characteristics of the feudal society. It is also known as knighthood. You may know that the knight took an oath to fight with the enemy and to protect the common people. Further, the knight provides the reduction to the sons and relatives of a lord. Thus, if anyone wanted to be a knight, he had to work as a page or servant near another knight. After the training, when he could serve properly, he was appointed a squire of that knight.

Duty of Vassals

The vassals had certain duties towards the Lord. They had to be present in court whenever the Lord needed them. Also, the Vassal had to pay money to his Lord or master on the occasion of his eldest daughter's marriage. And when his eldest son became a knight, he became captive in the hands of his enemy and was to be released. They have to provide compulsory military service for forty days a year. He conducts his master to the battlefield and guards his castle.

The Feudal Society

You may know that the division of a feudal society followed a pyramidal pattern. Further, this society is largely agrarian. In this, the king was at the top of the society, and he was powerless. Feudal lords were placed below him. After this, the vassals came. The lowest stratum in the society protected the serfs. They were not independent, and they did not have land of their own. The Lord gives time and the land, and they need to work on that land.

Ceremony of Homage

It is considered the leading feature of feudalism in Europe. Further, it is often known as the ceremony of the homage. It is organised to cement the connection between lords and vassals. You may know that after assembling in the castle of the noble, each man used to kneel before the Lord with an uncovered head. After this, each one placed his folded hands on the hands of the Lord. Do you know that he then took the oath to be his Vassal? Therefore, this ceremony was famous as a homage in which the Vassal took a vow to remain loyal to his Lord.

Investiture

After the ceremony of the homage, the Lord raised them and kissed them. You may know that he recognises them as his subject or Vassal. After this, the Lord placed in the hands of the vassal a little earth or some leaves as a token gift. Moreover, a legal document concerning a fief, a staff, and a flail was also handed over to the Vassal. This whole process was termed investiture.

Role of Church

Do you know that the Catholic Church was deeply intertwined with feudalism? It owned vast lands and was more powerful than the lords. The church provides reeducation, spiritual guidance, and social services. It enabled you to teach that the social order was God's will and helped to justify the inequalities of feudalism. The pope can challenge kings, and religious leaders can manipulate political decisions. The spiritual authority of the church's morals played a central role in everyday life from birth to death.

The Duties and Rights of Feudal Lord

Do you know that the lords had many duties to perform? They were employed in the work of the government and army most of the time. Also, they have the responsibility to look to the administration of estates and commerce. Although the lords enjoyed specific rights too. He is the owner of the land of a vassal who died leaving a minor son. However, you can write these features in your dissertation. But if you are facing any issues in punctuation, you can get assistance from tools like a grammar checker for better outcomes.

Conclusion

As it is mentioned above feudalism is known as the feudal system. It is a combination of logical, economic, military, and cultural considerations. Further, it enables you to flourish in mediaeval Europe from till the fifteenth century. In case, you have any issues regarding the topic of federalism, you can get assistance from history dissertation topics. Nevertheless, there are various characteristics of feudalism for your next history dissertation. Some of them may involve manors, vassals, and others. One of the other features of feudalism is demesne. Further, the feudal society followed a pyramid pattern. Though the king was at the top of the society, he was powerless.