The Feudal System

This section explains the Feudal System and the Power of the King. In medieval England, the King’s power was theoretically absolute. The King held ultimate authority over the entire country, with all decision-making concentrated in his hands. It was widely believed that the King's authority came directly from God, through the Divine Right of Kings, and from his ownership of the land. This meant that, in principle, the King could rule as he saw fit.

However, in practice, a number of factors limited the power of a medieval king. A king’s effectiveness often depended on his intelligence, personal qualities, and leadership abilities. A successful king was expected to be a warrior who could lead his armies in battle. He also needed to be a skilled politician capable of managing relationships with ambitious barons, who controlled much of the land and could be difficult to control. Furthermore, kings had to navigate the influence of the Pope in Rome. The Church wielded substantial power over religious matters, and the Pope could use this influence to make a king’s life very challenging.

Additionally, the king had to ensure the satisfaction of the general population, or at least prevent widespread dissatisfaction. The failure to do so could result in uprisings or challenges to royal authority, even from the lowest ranks of society.

What is the Feudal System?

The feudal system was a hierarchical structure of power based on land ownership, introduced by William the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. This system allowed a single person – the king – to govern the medieval population of England, which was approximately 3.5 million people at the time.

The Importance of Land

Land was highly prized in medieval society because of its potential to generate wealth. It could be used to grow crops, which could then be sold, and people could be charged rent for living on it. When William the Conqueror took control of England, he became the owner of all the land. Shortly after, he granted around 50% of this land to his Norman nobles, thus beginning the establishment of the feudal system.

The Structure of Feudal Society

The feudal system was a strict hierarchy. At the top was the king, followed by his nobles, knights, freemen, and finally, the peasants or villeins.

• The King: At the top of the hierarchy, the king owned all land and granted portions of it to his most trusted supporters. These lands were granted in exchange for loyalty and military service. The king’s role was to ensure the stability of the realm and to protect his barons in exchange for their support.
• Barons: These were powerful nobles who controlled large estates. William the Conqueror gave land to around 150 of these barons, mostly from Normandy, in exchange for their loyalty. The barons were expected to provide military support by supplying a set number of knights when required.
• Knights: Knights were often younger sons of barons who did not inherit land directly. In return for their service in battle, knights were granted land by the barons. Knights played a vital role in both warfare and maintaining law and order in their respective regions. There were approximately 4,500 knights in medieval England.
• Freemen: These were people who had more independence than the peasants. Freemen could be merchants who bought and sold goods in towns, or farmers who rented land from a baron or knight. They had the right to own property and were not tied to the land in the same way as peasants.
• Peasants or Villeins: At the bottom of the feudal system were the peasants, also known as villeins. Villeins worked the land owned by barons or freemen and, in exchange, were given small plots of land for their own use. They had very few rights and could not leave the land without their lord’s permission. Villeins were also vulnerable to being bought and sold. Around 2 million people in medieval England were villeins.

The Powers of the King

Although the king sat at the top of the feudal hierarchy, his power was not absolute. He had to carefully balance the needs and desires of his barons, as their support was crucial to maintaining his rule. Failure to keep the barons satisfied could result in rebellion or loss of loyalty.

Additionally, the king’s power did not extend to the Church, which gradually grew in influence and wealth during the medieval period. The Church owned vast amounts of land, often granted to it by kings or barons, and became a powerful institution in its own right.

The Church’s influence over religious matters meant that clergy could not be tried in royal courts. Instead, priests, monks, and nuns were tried in church courts if they broke the law. This created a situation where the Church held considerable power and could often challenge the king's authority.

The Church was a central part of medieval life. It controlled much of the education system and was responsible for caring for the poor, sick, and elderly. Its wealth, influence, and ability to sway public opinion made it a formidable rival to the king, especially as many kings relied on the Church's support to legitimise their rule.

In conclusion, while medieval kings were powerful figures, their authority was not absolute. They had to navigate complex relationships with their barons, the Church, and the broader population in order to maintain control and ensure the stability of their reign.