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Forms of Government: Feudalism

A topic guide with resources on the major forms of government and political thought.

Feudalism

Feudalism is  "the system of political organization prevailing in Europe from the 9th to about the 15th centuries having as its basis the relation of lord to vassal" (Merriam-Webster).   Examples of this type of government could be seen in medieval Europe.

Research and Reference

The Feudal System

This program covers the social and economic organization of Europe in the Middle Ages: life in a medieval farming hamlet; the role of the feudal lord, whose role was to defend its inhabitants in return for a share of the produce and other tribute; the role of tenant farmers, indentured servants, and serfs; the economy of the peasant community and the landed estate; construction and organization of the medieval castle; the relationship between lord and vassal; the pyramid of medieval social organization, with pope and king at the apex and impoverished peasants at the base; the concession of lands by the king and the financial and military obligations in return; the role of the church in feudal Europe, and of the clergy; and courtly love and other literary inventions. (36 minutes)

Perspectives

Feudal Society, Volume 2

"Few have set themselves to the formidable task of reconstructing and analyzing a whole human environment; fewer still have succeeded. Bloch dared to do this and was successful; therein lies the enduring achievement of Feudal Society."--Charles Garside, Yale Review

Feudalism, Monarchies, and Nobility

Stories of pageantry associated with kings, queens, and the upper class have long captivated readers of all ages. The reality behind how these entities have operated within set governmental systems has not always been as glamorous as these tales, but it retains an allure of its own nonetheless. This book provides a firm grounding in the historic political, social, and economic implications of rule by monarchy, including the prevalence of the feudal system in medieval Europe. Modern monarchies and the role of the aristocracy in every age are also detailed.

The Economics of Feudalism

First published in 1971, The Economics of Feudalism is an attempt to use the mathematical theory of economic analysis to analyse a historical society. It also elaborates economic theory to include demographic and political conditions. A specific analysis is made of empire and feudal economies and there are some speculations about their inter-relationships. The foundation and asymptotic properties of the feudal economy are subjected to rough empirical tests from Europe, A.D. 1000-1500. The author has four main theses. With a static agricultural sector and capital accumulation in the towns, urban population also falls. Also, the feudal method of organization is a relatively efficient instrument of exploitation for the political dominant class of landlords. Consequently, the terms of trade turn against the towns and in favour of the countryside. Further, where urban wages fall more rapidly than rural wages until they are equal, the feudal system is no longer essential to landowners. This book will be of interest to students of history, economics and agriculture.

Feudal system during the Middle Ages

From the earliest civilizations to the modern world, geography, religion, trade, and politics have bound peoples and nations together — and torn them apart. Take a journey through time and space and discover the fascinating history behind the complex world we inhabit toda