Mediaeval Feudalism

by Carl Stephenson

This is the reprint of the first single-volume work in English to treat of the principles of feudalism. It gives a clear and concise account of the origin, growth, and decay of the feudal system. Special attention is paid to the principles of feudal tenure, chivalry, the military life of the nobility, and the workings of the feudal government, as illustrated by actual cases.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval, Medieval History, European History

116 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1956

About the author

Carl^Stephenson
Carl Stephenson, American historian (1886-1954), not to be confused with the Austrian-German author and publisher Carl Stephenson (1893-1960ies)

Reviews

[Suzannah Rowntree · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful summary of mediaeval feudal structures in a scant 100 pages. It explained so much I'd never really understood. What a pleasure to learn so much in such a short time, so easily.

[Christopher Fuchs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephenson's relatively tiny treatment of feudalism in multiple forms across medieval Europe is an excellent introduction. He deftly boils down the key political, military, religious, economic, and cultural facets of feudalism. He covers how feudalism arose in the vacuum left by the Roman Empire, how feudalism evolved over the centuries at a different pace in various countries, and how feudalism ultimately collapsed with the rise of commerce, professional armies, and the shift of populations from rural aristocratic allegiances to independent urban locales. The book remains an indispensable pocket-sized introduction for students and the curious.

[Jacabaeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic. Clearly written and the author is obviously a master of their subject.

[Daniel Genis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody brilliant explanation of a confusing subject. Makes vassalage cool again.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight to the point, the language is a tad archaic (for a zoomer reader at least). Honestly, it was interesting to learn about feudalism in this general sense, particularly with it's evolution from the Germanic tribes, Franks, successor states from Franks, English from Normans etc. Worth the read. I did a lot of googling too on certain words, but honestly made for a richer experience. 8/10.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neat little book that explains and clarifies what feudalism is and where it came from. Read this in conjunction with The Song of Roland, for which purpose it was extremely helpful.

[Fearless Leader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise summary of medieval feudalism practices and origins.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely little book and a joy to read, very informative.

[Naomi Falk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Served a purpose.

[Paul Duplantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick read on the origins and growth of feudalism throughout Europe. But I wish more attention would have been paid to the serfs and peasant class.

[Randy Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember my first college history class was a survey course on the middle ages.  The professor kept talking about feudalism which to my mind translated into the feuding families of Hatfield and McCoy.  I only gradually got that medieval European feudalism was a much more radical concept.

I found Carl Stephenson’s ‘Mediaval Feudalism’ in a used bookstore and was immediately taken by its brevity – slightly longer than 100 pages.  A cursory glance told me that Stephenson had boiled down the concept of feudalism to it’s most essential parts.   He points to Tacitus’s famous text, ‘Germania’ as the source for fundamental meaning of feudalism.

‘When the free warrior, to whom the bearing of arms was itself a mark of distinction, became the follower of a chieftain, he did so voluntarily and the expectation of maintenance befitting his rank.”

To own a horse, to carry a shield and sword was itself a mark of considerable distinction and it was this ability as a warrior that was the key currency of value in such a society.  It was the promise of warrior’s loyalty to his lord and the oath confirming its unbreakable nature that formed the core organizing principal of that society.

As I look over the wreckage of capitalism, with its grinding imperative towards more mindless production, I see the sparkle of personal integrity shine out from feudalism’s warring mentality.  It makes me wonder what human society would look like if it could rediscover that ethical foundation.

[Bibliomantic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic in its field, and I would say that it’s appropriate reading whether you are an advanced student of the notion of feudal rule, or merely looking for a good introduction. In the latter situation, the book will serve as a clear and interesting overview that will start you on the right path and will help you steer clear of the romanticized versions of some related concepts, e.g., chivalry. In the former, it may enhance and fine tune what you already know. The author does a great job of describing histories of structure and custom, terms and how they have evolved, and on occasion shows just a touch of disdain for anachronistic interpretations. A strong and opinionated classic that should be on every European and political history buff’s shelf.

[Cate Meredith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pitched way too low for me. But if you know absolutely nothing about either feudalism or the mediaeval period, it might work as a grounding text.

[Heather T · Rating 3 out of 5]

good for a basic understanding. thourough, but easy to understand.

[Winnie Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nifty and well-written.

[Paola Colmenares · Rating 2 out of 5]

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[Jasmine Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps there isnt a such thing as feudalism, in which case, Stephenson, your assessments are noteworthy, but obsolete.

[Josh Liller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was assigned reading for my Medieval England college class. A short, fast, easy read that provides a good summary of feudalism.