HIS109Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Feudalism, Stirrup, Barter
Document Summary
Feudalism and the three orders of medieval society. People desperate for security chose a system that was not institutional, but rather based on personal loyalty. People adhere to powerful men with the ability to protect. Comitatus (group of companions in latin): violent thugs who provided protection for the barbarian warrior chieftain. Exercise of power, wealth, taxation etc was built solely on personal relationships. The stirrup (footrest on the saddle) allowed for the creation of cavalry. It was extremely expensive to be a knight. The knights were responsible for their land, the laws of that land, as well as taxation and infrastructure. Only the sons of the wealthy could be trained from birth in the skills of a knight. The clergy were well-educated and heavily influenced political leaders. There was conflict between the church and the secular state. Sons besides the firstborn would be sent to monasteries and convents.
