How Did The Middle Ages Affect The Decline Of Feudalism

The War of the Roses was a tumultuous period of time during the late Middle Ages and there is no doubt that it was affected by the feudal system. The Middle Ages was a period of time from 5th century to the 15th century characterized by the technological advancements in warfare, the artistic developments of the time, and the societal organization of the feudal system. The feudal system dictated the political and social allegiances a vassal had to a lord or king. Vassals received an area of land in the lord’s estate and had to care for it, and if the vassal did very well, they would be given their own fief, or area of land. Most lords and knights were very obedient to the feudal system but when their power was abused to such an extent as during the War of the Roses, it exposed the fatal flaw of feudalism and was its demise.
The wars lasted from 1455 to 1485 and during that time period many men claimed the throne, most very briefly. In the beginning, the Lancaster family held the throne and when King Henry V died, Henry VI, at nine months, inherited the throne. Many times during his reign he suffered from psychological problems and therefore was declared unfit to rule. Richard of York was declared the protector of the realm and took on the duties of king while Henry VI was in the Tower of London. When Henry recovered, there was a deep shift in the loyalties and allegiances of the nobles that caused Richard of York to raise a private army and try to take the crown. He was able to achieve this because all of the warriors had areas of land in his fiefdom and had sworn allegiance to him. After many bloody battles, Richard of York was the king of England, Henry was imprisoned in the Tower of London and his wife, Margaret of Anjou, was raising an army in the