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... The emperors of Carolingian started the feudal system of rule around the eight century. The system was then a system that was aimed at restoring order in Europe in places where there was disorder. Towards the tenth century feudalism had evolved and the system had improved. War was common in the feudal times, but it was not feudalism that created war. ... The Emperor Charlemagne also adopted the feudal system of rule. The feudal system of rule depended on relationship between the different social classes of the medieval Europe. It is said that Charlemagne’s implementation of the feudal system of rule was what helped him in uniting Europe. This essay will explain the feudal system of rule and the effectiveness of the system relating to Charlemagne’s effort to achieve unity in Europe.
The feudal system was a system of rule based on responsibility between the lord or king and vassal. According to the Encarta Encyclopaedia of 1994, feudalism is a “contractual system of political and military relationships existing among members of the nobility in Western Europe during the High Middle Ages”. This “eclectic system of governance and economic organization emerged there during the tenth century AD”, (Webber, 1993: 228). ... The feudal system was a combination of two different polities. ... This made the feudal system of rule a system based on relationships between different classes of people in the society and a system that is based on individual interests to group interests. The system is effective since it created unity and promoted cooperation in the society.
Under the feudal system of rule, kings granted their vassals with massive amount of lands. ... In the feudal system, free men were warriors so vassals were also know as warriors. ... This system is equally fair to both parties. ... This created balance between the different classes of people in the feudal society. ... “By such subinfuedation, a feudal pyramid was created” (Encarta Encyclopaedia, 1994). ... “Each level of the hierarchy pledged fealty, promising to supply armed knights to the magnate directly above him, until at the highest levels the chief vassals owed feudal dues to the crown” (Webber, 1993: 229). ... With Europe being threatened with anarchy, the feudal system has helped stabilised many territories by having different the lords in charged of their lands and has been very effective.
Relationships in the feudal system were soothed out with the subinfeudations. The feudal relationships were contractual, and because of this, a vassal who “violate his feudal contract with the king…. would set an unfavourable example to the men who owed him feudal service” (Webber, 1993: 229). ... Webber (1993) explains that the primogeniture rule which is the rule that entails the oldest son to heritage, made sure that the lands, titles and the ranks in the feudal society were passed to heirs unharmed. ... Under the feudal law, the lords were able to retrieve lands if his vassal was not did not meet his requirements. ...
Under the feudal system, there was not one person who had absolute power.
Approximate Word count = 2436
Approximate Pages = 9.7
(250 words per page double spaced)
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