Feudal society

Feudal society is a sometimes debated term used to describe the medieval social order of western and central Europe and sometimes Japan (particularly in the 14th to 16th centuries) characterised by the legal subjection of a large part of the peasantry to a hereditary landholding elite exercising administrative and judicial power on the basis of reciprocal private undertakings.

Related Topics:
Medieval - Europe

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The term's validity is questioned by many medieval historians who consider the description "feudal" appropriate only to the specifically voluntary and personal bonds of mutual protection, loyalty and support among members of the administrative, military or ecclesiastical elite, to the exclusion of involuntary obligations attached to tenure of "unfree" land. This stricter concept is discussed under Feudalism, and the bonds which it excludes under Manorialism. Examples of feudalism are helpful to fully understand feudalism and feudal society. Some useful particular examples may be seen at Feudalism (examples).

Related Topics:
Feudalism - Manorialism - Feudalism (examples)

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