Feudalism Vs Manorialism
Feudalism and manorialism were the driving factors leading to the success of a manor. (BS-1) The political system of feudalism aided to the growth of the medieval civilizations. (BS-2) The manor was self sustaining, with the help from several structures involved in manorialism. (BS-3) One major job which contributed to the prosperity of the manor was the reeve. (TS) Feudalism and the reeve had major impacts on the economy, military, and citizens of the manor. Feudalism was a system developed to better the protection and efficiency of the manor. The system of feudalism was meticulously designed so each social class had a direct obligation and job. Feudalism was a political and legal system based on defense and relationships between social classes
(Koshal). The lord was the person who granted land to another person, known as the vassal. The land the lord granted the vassal was called a fief. Fiefs included armors, weapons, horses, and land (Biel 9). Another social class which lived on the manor was the serfs. Serfs, or more commonly known as peasants, worked on the lord’s land in exchange for protection (King 27). They owned no land and were bound to the lord’s land, so they could not leave without direct permission from the lord (King 32). Surprisingly, the serfs could not be sold like slaves and instead, were given as part of the package deal with the land (Richardson). These social classes worked together and became dependant upon each other to get the manor in order. Peaking in the thirteenth century, the system of feudalism was a major pivotal point of the interdependence among villages (King 25). The serfs and peasants worked on the land around the castle and in return, were offered protection by the lord (Biel 10). The vassal governed and upheld the manor, as well as committed themselves as soldiers in the military. All in all, the kings and lords offered their land and protection in order for others to work and take care of the land.
(Koshal). The lord was the person who granted land to another person, known as the vassal. The land the lord granted the vassal was called a fief. Fiefs included armors, weapons, horses, and land (Biel 9). Another social class which lived on the manor was the serfs. Serfs, or more commonly known as peasants, worked on the lord’s land in exchange for protection (King 27). They owned no land and were bound to the lord’s land, so they could not leave without direct permission from the lord (King 32). Surprisingly, the serfs could not be sold like slaves and instead, were given as part of the package deal with the land (Richardson). These social classes worked together and became dependant upon each other to get the manor in order. Peaking in the thirteenth century, the system of feudalism was a major pivotal point of the interdependence among villages (King 25). The serfs and peasants worked on the land around the castle and in return, were offered protection by the lord (Biel 10). The vassal governed and upheld the manor, as well as committed themselves as soldiers in the military. All in all, the kings and lords offered their land and protection in order for others to work and take care of the land.