Fealty: Love, Loyalty, and Choice in Feudalism

Started by bilbobaggins, December 01, 2024, 09:54:38 AM

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bilbobaggins

December 01, 2024, 09:54:38 AM
Luciano Anastasi
Fealty: Love, Loyalty, and Choice in Feudalism by Jeb Smith

Fealty in the medieval period was a voluntary and deeply personal bond between lords and vassals, rooted in loyalty, love, and mutual benefit. Unlike modern governance, which is often impersonal and obligatory, feudal bonds reflected a society where relationships were based on choice and reciprocal obligations. Peasants and vassals selected lords who could provide protection, opportunities, and regional stability, creating a dynamic and decentralized system. Kings and lords alike depended on the loyalty of their people, often bound by oaths and mutual affection stronger than kinship ties. This personal nature of fealty shaped medieval social structures, blending autonomy with shared responsibility.

https://historymedieval.com/fealty-love-loyalty-and-choice-in-feudalism/
Jeb Smith is the author of four books to date, the most recent being Missing Monarchy: Correcting Misconceptions About The Middle Ages, Medieval Kingship, Democracy, And Liberty. Before that, he wrote and published Middle-earth Lore: Tolkien's Legends Revealed and another book on J.R.R. Tolkien's works, and also authored Defending Dixie's Land: What Every American Should Know About The South And The Civil War, written under the name Isaac C. Bishop. Smith has authored multiple articles on various blogs and websites, including History is Now Magazine and Medieval History.
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