970
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] PugJesus@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago

It would be awfully hard for a vassal landholder to get the kind of materials that they can’t produce on their own. Iron, tin, copper, lead; depending on the area, lumber, as well.

Yet most fiefs during the height of feudalism were autarkic, and engaged in minimal trade, much less redistribution from their overlord.

There was also the military presence keeping the brigandry in check (including from other feudal lords.)

Considering how rampant brigandry was, dunno how valid that is. As for other feudal lords, those are, of course, the peers they despise.

Vassals also exchanged military service for land. (And the serfs that came with it!)

Land could not simply be revoked in most feudal systems, though, and was more often inherited than granted by the overlord.

None of your points are wrong, necessarily, but I don't think they're major compared to the core pillar of "I trust my overlord to oppress me only a moderate amount, while I don't trust my neighbors not to oppress me a much greater amount, so I would like it very much if my overlord would just oppress everyone. I'll lick his boots for it." It becomes especially apparent in Bastard Feudalism of England and in the later feudal system of Japan in which land revenue, rather than land itself, was what was granted to many warrior-vassals.

this post was submitted on 30 Sep 2024
970 points (98.8% liked)

Political Memes

5502 readers
2173 users here now

Welcome to politcal memes!

These are our rules:

Be civilJokes are okay, but don’t intentionally harass or disturb any member of our community. Sexism, racism and bigotry are not allowed. Good faith argumentation only. No posts discouraging people to vote or shaming people for voting.

No misinformationDon’t post any intentional misinformation. When asked by mods, provide sources for any claims you make.

Posts should be memesRandom pictures do not qualify as memes. Relevance to politics is required.

No bots, spam or self-promotionFollow instance rules, ask for your bot to be allowed on this community.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS