At suzerainty and vassalage relations, represented by the commitment of fidelity between nobles and which implied reciprocal rights and obligations, are those that occurred during the period of Middle Ages (5th to 15th century) marked by feudal relations, that is, they were inserted in the context of feudalism.
Note that the feudalism emerged in the fifth century after the barbarian invasions and the decline of the Roman Empire, being an economic, political and social system of rural character, based on land ownership, since the nobles who owned land were the individuals with the greatest power.
In medieval society, the nobility was the ruling class, although the clergy (popes, bishops, cardinals, monks, abbots and priests), representatives of the Church, was the wealthiest group. The nobles could be kings, dukes, marquises, counts, viscounts and barons.
Thus, while the overlords were the nobles who donated the lands (even castles), the vassals, protected by them, represented the nobles who received the lands and in exchange, took care of and protected them while serving the overlords in various ways, above all for military service, with the aim of defending it in times of war.
Note that a vassal could become overlord the moment they donate part of their land to another nobleman and so on, forming a large network of relationships between overlords and vassals.
In summary, the suzerainty and vassalage relations had a cooperative content, which represented a small and important system economic socio at the time, that is, they were of a direct and personal order and aimed at an alliance in the economic and social relations between the nobles.
The relationship of suzerainty and vassalage, in large part, was hereditary (occurred between family members) and demonstrated the political decentralization of the time, being established before a solemn ceremony (oath) called "Homage" that sealed the bonds of loyalty and fidelity between its elements, and the "Investiture", which marked the transmission of the manor to the vassal.
The ceremony usually took place in a Church, whence the vassals, holding their swords, knelt before their overlords promising them full fidelity (sealed with a kiss) and protection in the wars. In case the vassal betrayed his lord, he would lose all his rights, possessions and titles. During the ceremony, the vassal's submission to his overlord was sealed with a slap across the vassal's face.
Note that the feudal economy (called the mode of production) was based on agriculture and grazing, with the feuds being the places where almost everything needed to live was produced. Therefore, there were no currencies (although some fiefs produced local currencies), relationships were based on exchange and trade was practically nil.
Feudalism
The manors (from the Germanic language means “property or possession”) were large land holdings that had their own economic, political, social and cultural organization.
Thus, the fief was land granted from a suzerain to a vassal in exchange for allegiance and military assistance. Feudal lords represented absolute power, so they monopolized local political power, administered and enforced the laws in the manors.
The feudal society, formed basically by the clergy (those who prayed), nobility (warriors called lords) and serfs (worked in the land), was called estate society, divided into strata (watertight or fixed social layers).
In this system, people did not have social mobility, that is, they were born a servant, they will die in their condition of servants and, during their lifetime, they will not be able to ascend to another level. So, social status depends on your birth cradle.
Learn about the topic by reading the articles:
- feudal society
- Feudal Economy
- Crisis of Feudalism
- Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism
