• History -> Middle Ages and Feudalism

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Were the Saxons responsible for the rise of feudalism?

Margueritta Knibbs

Well, that's a great question. As far as I know, the Saxons played a crucial role in the formation of the feudal system in Europe. They settled in Britain after the collapse of the Roman Empire and established small kingdoms, which were ruled by local chiefs called thanes.

With time, these kingdoms became more centralized, and the thanes evolved into lords, who owned large estates and had control over the population. The Saxons also introduced the concept of vassalage, in which a lord would offer protection and support to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and military service.

Moreover, the Saxons practiced a form of land tenure known as "hide" or "fuþorc," where a lord granted a piece of land to a tenant in exchange for rent and labor, which became the basis of feudal economic arrangements.

Nonetheless, it's worth noting that the rise of feudalism was a gradual and complex process that involved various social and economic factors, such as the decline of centralized authority, the growth of agriculture, the emergence of a warrior class, and the development of the manorial system.

Therefore, while the Saxons certainly contributed to the formation of feudalism, it would be oversimplifying to say that they were solely responsible for it. Feudalism was a product of historical circumstances shaped by multiple actors and forces, and its evolution varied across different regions and periods.

Overall, I think it's fascinating to explore the origins and dynamics of feudalism, and the role played by the Saxons in this process provides valuable insight into the complexity of medieval society.