Feudalism was a socio-economic and political system that originated in medieval Europe and lasted from the 9th century to the 15th century. The first phase of feudalism, which was called the early feudalism, began in the 9th century and lasted until the 11th century. This phase of feudalism was characterized by several features that shaped the medieval European society in many ways.
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One of the main features of the first phase of feudalism was the emergence of a decentralized political system. During this time, the centralized political system of the Roman Empire had collapsed, and power was decentralized. Feudal lords emerged as the main political authority, with each lord having control over a particular territory. The establishment of a feudal hierarchy was also another significant feature of the first phase of feudalism. The feudal hierarchy was based on the exchange of land for loyalty and military service. At the top of the hierarchy were the monarchs, followed by the nobility, and then the peasants.
The development of manorialism was another important feature of the first phase of feudalism. Manorialism was an economic system that emerged during this period, and it was based on the organization of the land into self-sufficient estates known as manors. The lord of the manor had control over the land and the peasants who lived on it.
Another significant feature of the first phase of feudalism was the emergence of feudal obligations. The feudal system was based on a set of obligations and responsibilities that existed between the lords and their vassals. The lords were responsible for providing protection and support to their vassals, while the vassals were required to provide loyalty, military service, and other forms of support to their lords.
Lastly, the church played a significant role in the first phase of feudalism. It was the dominant cultural institution, and its influence extended beyond religion to include education, politics, and economics.
Overall, the first phase of feudalism was characterized by a decentralized political system, a hierarchical social structure, an agricultural economy, and the emergence of manorialism and feudal obligations. These features laid the foundation for the development of feudalism in the following centuries.