Feudal System Historical Essay Example

The feudal system, also known as feudalism, was a social and political organization that existed largely in the middle ages, dating back to the eighth century.  It began in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire and the collapse of the government.  Social, political and economic trouble followed, causing a  need for a system that would help add economic stability and safety  back to the people.  As Europe was being attacked, local nobles took over the responsibility of raising armies and protecting their property.  Power was passed from kings to lords, creating the organized system known as the feudal system. 

Feudalism was an organized  system in which people were given land and protection by people of higher rank in exchange for their loyalty and service.  The feudal system consisted of four levels based on a hierarchy of power. The four levels included, Monarchs (Kings and Queens), Lords and Ladies (Nobles), Knights, Peasants and Serfs.  The feudal system was structured like a pyramid, that if one level failed, the whole system would collapse.  It was a self sufficient system in that each level had their different roles and were dependent on each other in their daily lives.   The main idea of feudalism was that it was a system of government where the kings are in control. The kings provide land to the lords, knights protect the lords and the land,  and peasants and serfs work the land to provide food for everyone.    

The feudal system survived for many centuries as it provided security and protection for people at all levels of society.  The system was effective as it was an independent type of government that met  the basic needs of the people, allowed for simple chain of command and it provided a system of coexistence for different classes of people.  However, there were also negative effects of the feudal system that included abuse of power by the Lords who did not treat people equally, people  of less nobility were not given a chance to move up a level in the pyramid, the system did not allow for economic growth and development, and the peasants and serfs who made up ninety percent  of the people worked hard and often died young. 

By the twelfth century, the feudal system began to break down. The major causes of its failure were disease (Black Death) which caused a large drop in population, causing a labour shortage and helped in ending serfdom, the Hundred Years’ War, and the culture of feudalism changed.  It  was slowly replaced with land owners now farming for profit, beginning the slow growth of urbanization. 

Does feudalism still exist today?  The answer is yes it does. Although, not in the same ways, the basic concepts of the feudal system are still in existence  and in use in some parts of the world.