What Did Knights Trade Their Military Service For

The feudal system was introduced to England following the invasion and conquest of the country by William I, The Conqueror.

The feudal organisation had been used in French republic by the Normans from the fourth dimension they first settled in that location in about 900AD. It was a simple, but effective system, where all land was owned by the Male monarch. One quarter was kept by the King as his personal belongings, some was given to the church and the rest was leased out nether strict controls.

A simple plan showing how the feudal system works:

Feudal System

The King: Leader of the Feudal Arrangement

King

The King was in complete command nether the feudal system (at to the lowest degree nominally). He owned all the state in the land and decided to whom he would lease country. He therefore typically allowed tenants he could trust to lease land from him. However, before they were given any state they had to swear an oath of fealty to the King at all times. The men who leased state from the Rex were known as Barons, they were wealthy, powerful, and had complete command of the land they leased from the King.

Barons: Executors of the Feudal Organisation

coat of arms

Barons leased state from the Male monarch that was known as a manor. They were known as the Lord of the Estate and were in consummate control of this country. They established their ain arrangement of justice, minted their own money, and set up their ain taxes. In return for the land they had been given past the King, the Barons had to serve on the royal council, pay rent and provide the King with Knights for military machine service when he demanded information technology. They too had to provide lodging and food for the King and his court when they traveled around his realm. The Barons kept every bit much of their land as they wished for their ain utilise, and so divided the remainder among their Knights. Barons were very rich.

Knights

Knight

Knights were given land by a Baron in return for military service when demanded by the King. They also had to protect the Baron and his family, also as the Manor, from assault. The Knights kept as much of the land equally they wished for their own personal employ and distributed the residue to villeins (serfs). Although not every bit rich as the Barons, Knights were quite wealthy.

Villeins

Villeins, sometimes known equally serfs, were given land past Knights. They had to provide the Knight with free labor, nutrient, and service whenever it was demanded. Villeins had no rights. They were not allowed to get out the Estate and had to ask their Lord's permission before they could marry. Villeins were poor.

This article is part of our larger choice of posts well-nigh the medieval period. To learn more, click here for our comprehensive guide to the Heart Ages.

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"Medieval Life – Bullwork and the Feudal Organization" History on the Internet
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May 30, 2022 <https://www.historyonthenet.com/medieval-life-feudalism-feudal-organization>
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