What is the Feudal System? (AQA GCSE History)

Summary: Who Held Power in Medieval England? 

In theory, the power of Medieval kings was absolute. The decision-making of the entire country was concentrated in a single person’s hands. It was believed that their authority was derived from God (Divine Right) and land ownership. In principle, they could do exactly as they wished. 

In reality, various factors combined to place limits on what a Medieval king could actually do. Often, the extent of a Medieval king’s powers depended on their intelligence, physical abilities and personal attributes. 

A Medieval king was expected to be a successful warrior who personally led his armies to victory on the battlefield. He also had to be a skilful politician who could both control and keep happy a large group of cunning and ambitious barons. He had to contend with the Pope in Rome. The Pope's authority over religious matters meant he could make life very difficult for England’s kings. Kings also had to keep the general population satisfied with their lives - or at least make sure they weren’t extremely angry. Failure to do so could lead to even the lowest ranks of society challenging the authority of the king.

What is the Feudal System?

• The feudal system was first introduced by William the Conqueror in 1066

  • It was a strict hierarchy of power based on land ownership

  • It enabled a single-person to rule over England’s medieval population of around 3.5 million people

• Land was greatly sought after because it could make people very wealthy

  • Crops could be grown on it and then sold

  • People could be charged rent for living on it

• When William I conquered England in 1066 he owned all of the land

• Almost immediately, he gave around 50% of the land to his nobles from Normandy

• In return for the land, these 150 barons promised to:

  • Support him in controlling the country 

  • Supply an agreed number of knights to fight for him

• Knights were often the younger sons of barons and were given land by the barons in return for their service in wars

• There were around 4,500 knights

  •  as well as fighting they also played important roles in maintaining law and order in a region

• Underneath the knights were Freemen

• Freemen were either:

  • Merchants who bought and sold goods in towns 

  • Farmers who rented the land from a baron or knight

• At the bottom of the feudal hierarchy were the peasants or villeins

  • Villeins worked the land of the barons or Free Men and, in return, were given a small strip of land on which to grow their own food

  • They had no rights, could not leave the land without permission and could be bought and sold

  • Around 2 million people in medieval England were villeins

The powers of the king

• Positioned at the top of the feudal system, the king had a lot of power

• However, that power was not unlimited 

  • The king had to work hard to keep the barons happy and ensure they supported him

  • The king's power did not extend to the Church

• The Church in England gradually grew in power and influence during the Medieval period

• Various kings and barons gifted it land and money meaning it became a very rich and powerful landowner 

• The royal courts could not try people who worked for the Church

• Instead, priests, monks and nuns were tried in church courts when they broke the law

• The Church had an enormous influence on Medieval life through its services that were held in every town and village in the country

• It was responsible for much of the education and helped care for the poor, sick and elderly.

• Its wealth, power and ability to influence people meant that, in many ways, the Medieval Church became a rival to the king