Europe (1200-1450): Feudalism and Catholicism

A painting with a large figure seated with two smaller figures looking up in a kneeling posture — This illustration depicts a vassal making an oath of loyalty to a feudal lord. In exchange for loyalty, vassals expected protection.

Many of Europe’s people decided to exchange much of their liberty for security. In the ashes of the former Roman Empire, Rome’s former landowning elites had land but no way to get food or wealth from it. The average people of Western Europe had nothing and were at the mercy of invaders and the unpredictable food supply. The former elites and the commoners both had something the other needed.

The Rise of Feudalism

This need gave rise to feudalism, a system built on mutual obligations. People looked to local landowners to provide them with protection, and they in turn gave their labor to the landlord. These reciprocal bonds of obligation were the core of feudalism.

In Europe, these bonds were sealed by legal contracts between vassals and those above them. To fulfill his obligation of protection, the lord supported a military class known as knights. The labor of the serfs was a form of tax to the lord, and they were often obligated to form small armies of foot soldiers as well.

Thus, Europe was organized into a highly decentralized social and economic system in which most all considerations of existence were local.

Providing Protection in a Feudalistic Society

To provide protection, lords fortified their houses with stone, high walls, and sometimes moats. The serfs who worked outside could find protection within the walls during times of insecurity or invasion. The lord profited off his land by the labor of the serfs, and the serfs gained security and a predictable source of food and protection.

A large stone house sits atop a hill covered in rows of grape vines — This is an example of a feudal manor house. Lichtenberg Castle near Oberstenfeld (Ludwigsburg district, Germany) it is one of the best preserved castles from the Staufer period.

In the year 1200, feudal society was still intact, but significant changes were taking place. New agricultural tools and methods of agriculture created surpluses. Towns began to grow outside of the feudal system, and trade brought new wealth and gave rise to a new middle class, the bourgeoisie. However, Europe’s urban growth was devastated by the arrival of the Black Death, a pandemic that would kill about half of Europe’s population. Cities and towns depopulated, and civilization seemed to have been thrown into reverse.

Western Europe's Centralized Culture: Catholicism

A triangle represents the hierarchy of the Catholic Church — This illustration depicts the Catholic hierarchy. At the bottom of the pyramid is the laity (common people). Above them are roles for people in the church: first are priests and monks, followed by archbishops and bishops, then cardinals, and finally, at the top, the Pope. (AI generated image)

Despite this radical decentralization of politics and society, most of Western Europe shared a basic common culture. After the fall of Rome, Catholic Christianity became a highly centralized, bureaucratic structure across Europe.

The Catholic Church performed many functions of a state, bringing comfort to the poor, aiding the sick, and providing spiritual meaning in a world of tough labor on the manor. It provided a common set of experiences through religious rituals known as sacraments, which began at one’s birth, repeated throughout one’s life, and ended at one’s death. The centralized structure of the Church and its common sacraments provided a shared culture for Western Europe.

Catholic Christianity also had a political effect. A concept emerged called the divine right of kings, in which people believed the authority of kings was set up by God. To disobey the king was to directly disobey God and be in violation of his plan. Additionally, bishops and priests could withhold sacraments from individuals as a way of control. The Church built huge churches and cathedrals from mandatory taxes paid to the Church. As in most other civilizations we have seen in this Period, religion played a prominent role in supporting a civilization.

Reflection: Feudalism and Catholicism

Feudalism created a system of rights and obligations fused into a hierarchy of social classes. This unequal arrangement brought order in a time of chaos and uncertainty. But like most things, this class system lasted far beyond its usefulness into a time when it was no longer necessary, but when it prevented people from flourishing and expanding their liberties. As we will see later in the course, the bloody readjustment of society into a more modern form occurred during the French Revolution.

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