American Freedom's Feudal Beginning

2014/09/09 User:Jeff

Feudalism was the characteristic institution of the Middle Ages. It started around the end of the 11th century about the time of the First Crusade. Though it was a time when freedom was enjoyed only by an elite few, when villeins (serfs) were bound to the land and subject to both the justice and injustice meted out at the whim of the local lord, it also had its bright side. Feudalism, as it developed in England, represented an improvement in the life of the villein and planted the seeds of freedom that, over a period of 580 years, produced the United States.

In the dark time that preceded feudalism, poverty stricken villages were unable to protect themselves against marauders. Feudal society was an arrangement between Baron, knight, the Church, and the serf to bring protection, order, and rude justice to village life. It was far from liberty and equality, but it was a first step and was consistent with basic reasons for a people to submit to government and move away from anarchy. The serf received a large measure of stability and safety. In exchange, the surplus product of serf labor was divided among Baron, knight, Bishop and Abbot, who were, relative to the serf, a leisure class. Wealth accumulated in the hands of this leisure class and this created a demand for luxuries. From this grew trade, arts, crafts, and a middle class of merchants and tradesmen and the cities that grew as the result.

It was neither fair nor just - it was merely better than violent anarchy. Feudalism was a legal and fixed subordination of one class to others who dispensed with the product of the serf as they saw fit. It wasn't liberty and it makes today's society look completely egalitarian. But without it, life was lawless and violent. With it, there were still abuses of power and "law" was both local and variable, but the arc of liberty had begun its upward trajectory.

Feudal contrasts

With wealth accumulating in the hands of the

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