feudalism etymology

Etymology:

Feudalism is derived from the late Latin term feudum, meaning "a grant of land in exchange for military or other services," ultimately from the Frankish (Germanic) fehu, meaning "cattle, property, money."

Meaning and Origin:

Feudalism was a social, political, and economic system that characterized medieval Europe from the 9th century to the 15th century. It was based on the following key principles:

• Feudal Contract: A contractual arrangement between a lord (a landholder) and a vassal (a person who held land from the lord).
• Feudal Hierarchy: A hierarchical structure in which lords were ranked according to their power and wealth, and vassals were dependent on their lords for protection and land.
• Land Tenure: Land was owned by lords and granted to vassals in return for military service or other obligations.
• Military Obligations: Vassals were required to provide military support to their lords in times of war or disturbance.
• Economic Obligations: Vassals owed taxes, labor, and other payments to their lords in exchange for land and protection.

The origins of feudalism can be traced back to the decline of the Roman Empire and the rise of Germanic tribes in Western Europe. Germanic tribes, such as the Franks, Goths, and Lombards, established kingdoms based on the principles of vassalage and land grants. Over time, these practices evolved into the more formal and structured system known as feudalism.

feudalism relate terms

• feudal

  Etymology The word feudal derives from the Latin word feodum meaning fief a land

• feud

  Etymology The word feud originates from the Old French word feude which in turn com

• chivalry

  Etymology The word chivalry is derived from the Old French word chevalerie which in

• structure

  Structure Etymology Latin structura meaning a building construction or arrangeme

• system

  Etymology The word system comes from the Late Latin systema which is derived from t

• urban

  Etymology Urban Related to a city or urban area derived from the Latin word urbs me

• compromise

  Etymology Late Middle English from Old French compromis from Latin compromissum from

• course

  Etymology The word course comes from the Old French word curs which means a running

• liberty

  Etymology From Middle English libertee from Old French liberté ultimately from Latin

• supplication

  Etymology The word supplication comes from the Latin word supplicare which means to

• counterfeit

  Etymology The word counterfeit comes from the Middle English word countrefete which