FLORES-Discussion Post #3: Thoughts On Feudalism, Chivalry & the State

[Jasmine]

FEUDALISM

Both Stephenson and Strayer focus on the development of Europe - primarily England and France - a few hundred years after the time of Bede. Instead of fragmented kingdoms, as in Bede's time, in Stephenson's narrative there are fragmented fiefs with vassals in charge of their holds. Though very unstable, yet the system provides security for those who have earned the right to become vassals. Even priests and bishops can benefit from the system since it provides military protection. Men spend their energies on war and women, carousing and chasing after fame. They leave servants in charge of their holds and enjoy the prestige and privileges of a warrior. Having studied the history of China for my undergraduate degree, I drew many parallels between Europe and China (in different time periods) and the feudal system. Today in China, when an 'old' way of thinking is espoused, (e.g. that males are favored over females), it is still referred to as 'feudal thinking.' The influence of feudalism in China has lasted much longer than the regime itself. 

CHIVALRY

Stephenson speaks at some length about the system of chivalry, but it is not as we think we know it today. For us chivalry is purely a cultural system. Men in particular are responsible for upholding chivalry in the courteous way they treat women. Stephenson, however, is quick to burst our romantic bubbles by pointing out that It had more to do with horses than honor, (Stephenson 40-41). Indeed, "whatever courtesy they displayed was reserved for the members of their own order. For a knight to live by war and rapine, pillaging churches and slaughtering peasants on the lands of an enemy, was quite normal. Women he properly regarded as at most a valuable commodity. A wife's duty was to rear children and maintain domestic peace; one who talked to much earned a slap in the face. The modern reader who is shocked by the conduct of the hero in a feudal epic has failed to understand the primitive chivalry--to realize the it implied no more than the respect of one warrior for another," (Stephenson 53). Therefore, 'primitive chivalry' is nothing more than a political system. When we read our own cultural biases into the past, we can make grave errors in judgment about the people of that time. Perhaps this is why Stephenson and Strayer just 'stick to the facts' and speak little of the common affairs and practices of the everyman.

THE STATE

While reading Strayer I was startled to read that "a shift in loyalty from family, local community, or religious organization to the state and the acquisition by the state of a moral authority to back up its institutional structure and its theoretical legal supremacy," (Strayer 325 of 1794*), has formed a system of government that I have never questioned! In fact, I distinctly remember getting the impression in school (whether directly or indirectly) that our system of 'states' (or States) is the best system to have come into being and that all other systems of government from aristocracy to dynasty to tyranny were oppressive and restrictive. (I'm not implying that isn't true. I'm just saying I never questioned it.) What bothers me in Strayer's statement is the idea that the state is above all else - above family, above community, above our faith in God! It also seems to suggest that the state has no real moral authority, but acquires a moral authority to back it up so that it will not be questioned. Therefore we pledge allegiance to our flag for we are one nation "under God." As if to say that God himself has sanctioned and approved our system of government. The more I think about this, the angrier I become. No one and nothing should be above God and family! I wonder if anarchists choose to be so in order that they would not have to subscribe to a philosophy where the state becomes a surrogate god or parent. 

*Note: I read Strayer's book via Amazon.com Cloud Reader (for the first time) and as far as I can tell, there are no page numbers, only location markers. Therefore, I can only mark the location in my response. Sorry about that. 

[Chris Schlect]

Jasmine,

Good post on the readings. This is quite different from the substance of the material, but when we get together in class I will be interested in your review of Amazon cloud! --CRS

[Jasmine]

It was my first time using it! But, it works fine if you're ok reading off of your computer or phone. I can't do that for too long without my eyes starting to ache. I had to take breaks so I switched off between Strayer and Stephenson as I read, haha.