Introduction
To begin with, it is necessary to emphasize that manorialism and feudalism are often regarded as distinctively various systems. This notion is generally explained by the fact that these are the paradigms of various spheres of life, consequently, they have nothing in common. Nevertheless, on the other hand it should be stated that one is impossible without the other. The paper is aimed at explaining the relation between feudalism and manorialism.
Discussion
First of all it should be stated that manorialism is the economic system which may exist only in the circumstances of feudalism. The name originates from the word manor – the house, where the landlord lived. Originally, this is the self-sufficient system, which existed during the period of Middle Ages, when lend was the key source of wealth. Initially, the trade was unnecessary, as every manor produced everything it needed to survive, and only the lord defined what exactly is needed to survive. As Backman (2003) emphasizes in his research, manorialism is featured with filling lords with the legal and financial power: “It was supported economically from his own direct landholding and from the obligatory contributions of a legally subject part of the peasant population under his jurisdiction. These obligations could be payable in several ways, in labor, in kind, with the produce of the manor’s land, or, on rare occasions, in coin.” Thus, it is necessary to emphasize that such system can be possible and effective only in the feudalistic environment, as the only way to create a self-efficient system is to invest it seriously, or have unlimited Human Resources.
Another fact which is important for disclosing the necessary evidence is the notion that manorialism is often referred to as the social interaction system. These relations were properly adjusted between lords and various dependents like soldiers, serfs and laborers. As for the social aspect of manorialism, it is closely associated with the matters of survival in the feudalistic Europe, and is oriented at the relations of lords and vassals. Any other paradigm of relations could not be relevant in the circumstances of Middle Ages. The dependents were obliged to work for the lord, or work on his land as vassals and supply all the necessary goods for the lord. Lord, in his turn, provided them with an opportunity to lead independent lives. According to Bloch (1989): “They were also offered protection from invading powers and the right to earn their livelihood, by serving the manor and its occupants. This economic dependency was deeply ingrained in the rural society all over Europe. Thus, manorialism was a ‘systematic hardship’ imposed on the poor, helpless and the downtrodden people, who were subjected to frequent land grabbing by foreign invasion, slavery and other forms of economic hardship in the middle ages in Europe.”
Conclusion
Finally, there is strong necessity to mention that Feudalism and Manorialism are the two paradigms of social economic and political life of the Medieval Europe, which are interdependent and impossible without each other. The fact is that, manorialism is effective only in the circumstances of feudalism, while feudalism is incomplete without manorialism, in spite of the fact that these are the concepts, which touch upon various spheres of life.
References
Backman, Clifford R. The Worlds of Medieval Europe. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.
Bloch, Marc. Feudal Society. Vol. 2. London: Routledge, 1989.