Feudalism

Defining feudalism is difficult because there is no generally accepted agreement on what it means. In order to begin to understand feudalism, a working definition is desirable. The definition described in this article is the most senior and classic definition and still subscribed to by many. It refers to a general set of reciprocal legal and military obligations among the warrior nobility of Europe during the Middle Ages, revolving around the three key concepts of lords, vassals, and fiefs.

Related Topics:
Legal - Military - Nobility - Europe - Middle Ages - Lord - Vassal - Fief

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However other definitions of feudalism exist. Since at least the 1960s Medieval historians have often included a broader social aspect, adding the peasantry bonds of Manorialism, referred to as a "Feudal society". Still others since the 1970s have re-examined the evidence and concluded Feudalism is an unworkable term and should be removed entirely from scholarly and educational discussion (see Revolt against the term feudalism), or at least only used with severe qualification and warning. In terms of Feudalism existing outside of Europe, it is only by analogy that Feudalism is applied in a broader sense to other societies. Some, taking this broad definition of feudalism, have seen it everywhere from ancient Egypt to the American South. Others, using a narrower definition, have seen feudalism only in medieval western Europe, Japan of the shoguns, and, possibly, nineteenth-century Ethiopia.http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/mil/html/mh_017900_feudalism.htm

Related Topics:
Peasantry - Manorialism - Feudal society - Revolt against the term feudalism

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The word "feudalism" was invented in the 17th century, based on the Late Latin feudum, which was borrowed from Germanic *fehu, a commonly used term in the Middle Ages which meant fief or land held under certain obligations by feodati. Even though the word components are from the Middle Ages, the concept of feudalism was not invented until the 17th century, in the modern era.

Related Topics:
Late Latin - Germanic - Middle Ages - Fief - 17th century

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