Abby Thornton Post #3
Abby Thornton
Discuss the interconnections between demographics, technology, politics, and society. Do these books give adequate attention to cultural factors?
Carl Stephenson’s Medieval Feudalism focuses on the historical significance, personal interactions, and medieval allegiances that characterized the feudal system. His goal was not to give a concise, clear description of Europe during the feudal age, but rather to determine the unique attributes of feudalism - mainly its customs and codes of honor. He emphasizes vassalage (the honorable relationship between the warrior classes) and the concept of the fief (the special compensation paid to a vassal for a service done).
Europe was divided into clans, tribes, and ethnicities but, according to Stephenson, was united and defined by common traits and modes of life.Europe’s cities of commerce, namely Constantinople, Seville, Cordoba, Paris, Pallermo, and Venice became the gateway to Asia, providing the means for trade and craft interactions. For example, precious stones were exchanged for raw materials and linen textiles. At this time part of Europe was controlled by the Muslim world, which afforded economic and political ties with the Asian Steppe. As for politics, Strayer believed that a more stabilized, centralized, and political body was needed to govern the increasing feudal towns (Strayer 40-42). Stephenson believed that feudalism could have prospered and grown through relationships and commitments to the people rather than to the state as a political entity (Stephenson 80, 83). Society was such that the personal relationships, allegiances, and fealties provided the security and friendship necessary for the feudal system.
On the Medieval Origins of the Modern State, written by Joseph R. Strayer, concentrates on the importance of institutional advances for the administration of justice and finance. He makes the case that England, France, and the other European domains were building strong and durable political arrangements that created the idea that subjects remain loyal to authority rather than to concepts and principles. This allowed for their continued success while the fledgling states withered and died away.
One main difference between Stephenson and Strayer is that the former advocated for personal and social relationships, while the latter promoted a more centralized government and economic structure. In my opinion, both failed to realize that at the core of the feudal system was the concept of Christianity. It was the Christian expansion that advanced and prospered the Feudal Age, not the social factors, trade, or business.
