Feudalism

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=Feudalism=

__**The Beginnings-**__ Feudalism was the political and military system of loyalty and protection during the Middle Ages. It was used in the 700's in Western Europe, during which time there was no central government or security, and began when the Roman Empire crumbled. Feudalism reached its height between the 800's and 1200's, but by the 1400's it began to disappear or become outdated.

__**Where it Came From-**__ Feudalism began in the early 700's when it spread from France to England, Spain, and other parts of the Christian world. It derived from two main roots, and came from the Latin term for fief. The first root was the relationship of honor that existed among the Germanic war bonds. The second root was the system of tenure, also known as landholding.

__**Rankings-**__ The system of feudalism consisted of the king who had complete power over the nobles or barons. The barons then came next. After the barons, came the knights, and finally the peasants or serfs. Under this system, the king granted land to his highly trusted and loyal barons. Barons would then in return have to provide the king with money and knights to fight and protect him for a certain number of days. Knights then divided their land into smaller areas known as manors, or fiefs. These pieces of land were given to less powerful knights that fought for the king. Knights charged rent to all the peasants that lived and worked on their land.

__**The King-**__ The king was the most powerful person in the Middle Ages next to the bishop. He owned all the land in a country, therefore was higher up in the feudal society. He made the laws and led the country's army. The king lived lavishly in a castle that was protected and guarded by knights.

Barons were next in the feudal society and were very wealthy and powerful. “The lord of the manor” leased land from the king and swore an oath to remain faithful to him. These men paid rent, served on royal council, and provided the king with knights.
 * __Barons-__**

The knights were next in the line of importance. __**Peasants-**__ Finally came the peasants, who were also known as the villiens or serfs. These poor and uneducated men and women were required to farm the land of the knights of which they lived on. They also provided food to the king when they were ordered. In return for their demanding services, they were promised to be protected from any enemy attacks that might occur on the villages. Serfs also had no rights and were not allowed to leave the manor that they lived on which typically consisted of a castle, small village, and farmland. In addition, villiens had to receive permission from the lord before they could marry.
 * __Knights-__**

__**Principles-**__ Under the system of feudalism, there were many rules and principles.

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