THE suzerainty and vassalage relationship in feudalism was established around the ninth century, when the European continent it was already ruralized.
With the Arab expansion and the invasion of barbarian peoples, the political and economic situation became unstable. As a result, commercial activities were reduced and castles were fortified.
In these closed environments, landlords and peasants coexisted producing their own food. It was in this context that the relationship of suzerainty and vassalage was inserted.
Suzerainty and vassalage in feudalism – Summary
From the end of the Carolingian Empire, the figure of a central authority was weakened. The king could not control the nobles, as Charlemagne did.
With the royal power weakened, the nobles approached each other in order to establish bonds of mutual loyalty. Thus, local power relations were strengthened.
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The bonds of loyalty created to unite the aristocracy they became known as suzerainty and vassal relations, instituted in a ceremony known as homage.
In this ritual, a hierarchy was established between the two nobles and a series of mutual obligations between them.
The overlord, usually the eldest, occupied a higher position than the vassal. Thus, the suzerain donated the land to the vassal and guaranteed his protection.
In exchange for the donation of the fief (land), the vassal should have military service to the overlord whenever necessary. In addition, he could occupy the position of overlord to other landless nobles.
It is noticed that the relationship of suzerainty and vassalage contributed to the decentralization of political power during the Middle Ages and for the protection of the land from external threats.
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