HIS109Y1 Lecture Notes - Manorialism, Estates Of The Realm, Stirrup
Document Summary
Feudalism and the three orders of medieval society (middle ages) feudalism and the structure of medieval society the engines that drove change in society. feudalism: fragmentation of political power that was necessary when the roman. this internal dissolution required a new means of government (had to use what was available; this being the traditions of the great roman empire. roman imperial system thus broken down; leading to localization of power. In turn, power and political authority resided in those who owned land (i. e. land = power, power conducive of land ownership) political units were irrelevant concepts; the locality in which you lived, whose land you lived on, is what mattered. political power included legal jurisdiction; these r ights and priveledges could be divided, bought, mortgaged. private arrangements among individuals became the law. the essence of feudal society: the idea of public power in private hands.
