The end of the Roman Empire was a tumultuous time. With no longer a central authority to run things, Europe descended into chaos for several centuries.
Outline:
Section: Feudalism developed when barbarian invasions destabilized the central government in Europe.
Section: In the resulting civil disorder, landowners had to defend their property, beginning a trend toward private protection.
Section: Kings rewarded local lords with land grants, which they could govern and use as they wished in exchange for military service during times of war.
Takeaway: Royal power declined and eventually these local lords became more powerful than the royal family.
Feudalism developed when barbarian invasions destabilized the central government in Europe.
Feudalism developed when barbarian invasions destabilized the central government in Europe. Barbarian invasions caused a breakdown in law and order, which allowed for feudalism to be more easily established. Barbarian invasions also caused a breakdown in the system of tax collection, as well as the system of military recruitment.
In the resulting civil disorder, landowners had to defend their property, beginning a trend toward private protection.
In the resulting civil disorder, landowners had to defend their property, beginning a trend toward private protection.
During the early Middle Ages (500-1000 AD), there was a high rate of barbarian invasions. The invaders pillaged and burned settlements in order to take over land and settle in it. This caused civil disorder throughout Europe as people tried to protect themselves and their land from these attacks.
Kings rewarded local lords with land grants, which they could govern and use as they wished in exchange for military service during times of war.
Land grants were given as rewards for military service. Land grants were given to local lords to govern and use as they wished in exchange for military service during times of war. Land grants were given to local lords in exchange for military service, which allowed them to defend their property from invaders and keep the peace within their own lands.
Royal power declined and eventually these local lords became more powerful than the royal family.
As you may recall, the king was a very powerful person in feudal society. He owned all of the land in his kingdom and gave much of it to lords who pledged loyalty to him. As time passed, however, royal power declined and eventually these local lords became more powerful than the royal family.
The reason for this decline can be attributed to several factors:
- Increased military pressure from outside forces (such as another country) led kings to offer their nobles more land so that they would fight for them instead of fighting against them
- The church also played a role because it had its own land holdings called monasteries or abbeys which were exempt from paying taxes
Conclusion
In conclusion, feudalism is a system that developed in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. This period was characterized by local lords who had power over their land and people, while they also owed service to a king who ruled over them. Feudalism helped provide security in this unstable time but it also led to a loss of royal power.