Under feudalism, who was directly responsible for protecting the people?
Under feudalism, the primary responsibility for protecting the people fell upon the feudal lords or nobles. These nobles held land and exercised authority over the peasants or serfs who lived on their land. In exchange for the land and protection, the peasants worked the land and provided various goods and services to their lords.
To understand this concept, it is necessary to delve into the workings of feudal society and its hierarchical structure.
1. Feudalism: Feudalism was a medieval social and economic system that was prevalent in Europe from the 9th to the 15th century. The fundamental aspect of feudalism was the exchange of land, protection, and labor between a lord (also known as a noble or feudal lord) and his vassals (peasants or serfs).
2. Lord-Vassal Relationship: Feudal lords were the highest-ranking individuals in the feudal system, and they owned large estates of land. They granted portions of this land to vassals in exchange for various services, primarily military obligations, feudal dues, and labor. In this relationship, the lord was responsible for providing protection and justice to the vassal, while the vassal owed the lord specific forms of service and loyalty.
3. Manor and Serfs: A manor was the self-sufficient agricultural estate controlled by a lord. Serfs, who were peasants bound to the manor, formed the labor force. They worked the land, raised crops, and performed other tasks necessary for the functioning of the manor. Serfs were not free; they were obligated to work for the lord and were also entitled to his protection.
4. Military Obligations: Feudal lords maintained armed forces to defend their territories and provide protection to the people living within them. In times of war, vassals were expected to provide military service and fight alongside their lords. This arrangement enabled the lords to protect their land and inhabitants from external threats by utilizing the manpower of their vassals.
In summary, under feudalism, the direct responsibility for protecting the people fell on the feudal lords. They fulfilled this responsibility by employing their vassals and maintaining armed forces to defend their lands and inhabitants.