In that case, the land was to be handed over the heir on payment of a sum known as ‘Relief, when a Vassal died without the heir, his fiefs was taken over by the Lord. This ownership was called ‘Wardship’ and it continued till the minor came of age. A Lord became the owner of the land of a vassal who died leaving a minor son. Their main duty was to save their subjects from the invaders. They also looked to the administration of estates, draining of swamps and trade and commerce. Most of them were employed in the work of the Government, army and diplomacy. The medieval European literature sang the glory of these Knights in no uncertain terms. They also spent their time in different plays and gymnastics. By exhibiting chivalry he could save an old man, destiture, weak man from the clutches of injustice and tyranny. After becoming a Knight, he had to purchase horse and arms for himself. Then he had to kneel down before priest who would deliber a light blow of his palm on the young man’s neck with the blessings-“Be a Valiant Knight”. He had to spend a night inside the Church in prayer. After he achieved mastery in these works, he was to be appointed as a Knight. When he could serve property, he was appointed as a ‘Squire’ or body-guard of that Knight.ĭuring that period he learnt how to clean the weapons and prepare a horse. When one wanted to be a Knight, he had to work as a ‘Page’ or servant near another Knight. Generally, the sons and relatives of a Lord received education and training to be a Knight. A Knight took oath to fight with enemy and to protect the weak. The Knight:Īnother characteristic feature of the feudal society was ‘Knighthood’. They remained inside small huts with their domestic animals like cows and pigs in a very unhealthy condition. In one day of the week, they worked in the field of their Lord without payment which was known as ‘Forced Labour’. They worked in the land given to them by their Lord. They had neither the land of their own, nor they were independent. The lowest stratum in the society projected the ‘Serfs’. They could resort to independent profession and move from one place to another according to their own hill. Then came the ‘Vassels’ or ‘Independent Farmers’. The ‘King’ was at the top of the society and he was quite powerless. This society was largely an agrarian society. The division of a feudal society followed a pyramidal pattern. This law entirely belonged to the Lord which he could use according to his whims and caprices. After distributing the land among his serfs whatever land remained with him was known as Demense. Demense:Īnother feature of feudalism was ‘Demense’. According to the possession of Manors, the strength of a feudal Lord was known. The castles, cultivated land, dwelling houses of barons and Church were associated with it. The land associated with the castle was known as Manor. Another significant mark of feudalism was Manor.
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