The Fiefdom System

A new political system was instaured in europe in the middle ages. It is the fiefdom system, and it worked all over the medieval period, and it was abandonned in the early 16th century. This system gives all the rights to the king over his population. This type of government was organized as the stronger govern the weaker. Here's a picture to let you understand. The king is the only people who is not under the authority of someone else. Barons must follow their King's instructions, then act as the king with their inferiors. Knights will act as the barons and they will make the authority over the peasant's population. Only these peoples don't exercice the law on an inferior grade because they are the weakest grade of the fiefdom system. This system appeared in occidental Europe about 500 years after the fall of the Roman empire in 476. It was invaded by barbarian troops who were afraid of the Huns, a gargantuan army from Asia. The Roman Empire firstly protected them, in let them enter empire's territory, but after several years, they made a rebellion against the empire, provoking his fall.


Back to the 13th century.

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Gargantua 1996-1997