Difference between revisions of "Medieval politics"
(New page: '''Medieval Politics''' is a diverse branch, differing greatly from modern politics based on democracy and accountability. ==feudalism== Politics in the medieval age revolved aro...) |
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'''Medieval Politics''' is a diverse branch, differing greatly from modern politics based on [[democracy]] and [[accountability]]. | '''Medieval Politics''' is a diverse branch, differing greatly from modern politics based on [[democracy]] and [[accountability]]. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Feudalism== |
| − | Politics in the medieval age revolved around the affairs of monarchy and nobility and ties in with the practise of [[feudalism]]. Under feudalism, every member of society knew his or her place and social upward mobility was either extremely difficult or impossible depending on your circumstances. The order of hierarchy came as follows in the secular feudal state: | + | [[Politics]] in the [[medieval]] age revolved around the affairs of monarchy and nobility and ties in with the practise of [[feudalism]]. Under [[feudalism]], every member of society knew his or her place and social upward mobility was either extremely difficult or impossible depending on your circumstances. The order of [[hierarchy]] came as follows in the [[secular]] feudal state: |
| − | *King | + | *[[King]] |
| − | *Nobility | + | *[[Nobility]] |
| − | *Freemen ( | + | *[[Freemen]] ([[Merchant]]s and larger farmers) |
| − | * | + | *[[Peasant]]s |
| − | Clergy were very often were members of the noble class, and monastic orders were regularly as rich if not richer than the [[King]] in question. | + | [[Clergy]] were very often were members of the noble class, and monastic orders were regularly as rich if not richer than the [[King]] in question. |
==Role of the Clergy== | ==Role of the Clergy== | ||
| − | Religion played a major part in government and many of the Civil service of the feudal state was formed from among the clergy. In Europe, Monastic orders such as the [[Cistercians]] wielded considerable political power, with the co-founder [[st. Bernard]] being a particularly important figure responsible for rallying support for the [[Second Crusade]]. | + | [[Religion]] played a major part in [[government]] and many of the [[Civil service]] of the feudal state was formed from among the clergy. In Europe, Monastic orders such as the [[Cistercians]] wielded considerable political power, with the co-founder [[st. Bernard]] being a particularly important figure responsible for rallying support for the [[Second Crusade]]. |
| − | During the eleventh century papal reform movement, attempts were made to seperate church and state as Medieval monarchies wielded great power and authority over clergy and the Catholic hierarchy. This led to the [[Investiture contest]] and the reform of the papacy. Medieval Kings were instinctively opposed to attempts of the Church to centralise its decision making efforts in Rome as this damaged the regional churches, who contributed to the coffers of Medieval Kings. Also, Kings needed clergy to operate in their Civil service as [[scribe]]s and [[Chancellor]]s as there simply wasn't too many educated non-clergy in the realm who could perform their duties which was vital for the smooth operation of the realm. | + | During the [[eleventh century]] papal reform movement, attempts were made to seperate church and state as Medieval monarchies wielded great power and authority over clergy and the Catholic hierarchy. This led to the [[Investiture contest]] and the reform of the papacy. Medieval Kings were instinctively opposed to attempts of the Church to centralise its decision making efforts in Rome as this damaged the regional churches, who contributed to the coffers of Medieval Kings. Also, Kings needed clergy to operate in their Civil service as [[scribe]]s and [[Chancellor]]s as there simply wasn't too many educated non-clergy in the realm who could perform their duties which was vital for the smooth operation of the realm. |
==The importance of war== | ==The importance of war== | ||
| − | As opposed to modern perceptions of war, Medieval politics placed great emphasis on war, considering it to be a useful and often necessary tool of [[foreign policy]]. Small scale wars between important nobility and larger conflicts such as the [[Hundred Years War]] is testament to this fact. The large number of [[castles]] built in Europe during the Medieval age is another testament to the frequency of war, as nearly every nobleman found it necessary to build a castle for his own defence and protection. | + | As opposed to modern perceptions of war, Medieval politics placed great emphasis on [[war]], considering it to be a useful and often necessary tool of [[foreign policy]]. Small scale wars between important nobility and larger conflicts such as the [[Hundred Years War]] is testament to this fact. The large number of [[castles]] built in Europe during the Medieval age is another testament to the frequency of war, as nearly every nobleman found it necessary to build a castle for his own defence and protection. |
==Arranged Marriages== | ==Arranged Marriages== | ||
| − | Succesful diplomatic efforts were often marked by a marriage between two houses. Medieval Kings placed great emphasis on the importance of daughters, as they often were wedded off to troublesome nobles or to cement foreign | + | Succesful diplomatic efforts were often marked by a [[marriage]] between two houses. Medieval Kings placed great emphasis on the importance of daughters, as they often were wedded off to troublesome nobles or to cement foreign [[alliance]]s. |
Revision as of 16:44, July 17, 2007
Medieval Politics is a diverse branch, differing greatly from modern politics based on democracy and accountability.
Feudalism
Politics in the medieval age revolved around the affairs of monarchy and nobility and ties in with the practise of feudalism. Under feudalism, every member of society knew his or her place and social upward mobility was either extremely difficult or impossible depending on your circumstances. The order of hierarchy came as follows in the secular feudal state:
Clergy were very often were members of the noble class, and monastic orders were regularly as rich if not richer than the King in question.
Role of the Clergy
Religion played a major part in government and many of the Civil service of the feudal state was formed from among the clergy. In Europe, Monastic orders such as the Cistercians wielded considerable political power, with the co-founder st. Bernard being a particularly important figure responsible for rallying support for the Second Crusade.
During the eleventh century papal reform movement, attempts were made to seperate church and state as Medieval monarchies wielded great power and authority over clergy and the Catholic hierarchy. This led to the Investiture contest and the reform of the papacy. Medieval Kings were instinctively opposed to attempts of the Church to centralise its decision making efforts in Rome as this damaged the regional churches, who contributed to the coffers of Medieval Kings. Also, Kings needed clergy to operate in their Civil service as scribes and Chancellors as there simply wasn't too many educated non-clergy in the realm who could perform their duties which was vital for the smooth operation of the realm.
The importance of war
As opposed to modern perceptions of war, Medieval politics placed great emphasis on war, considering it to be a useful and often necessary tool of foreign policy. Small scale wars between important nobility and larger conflicts such as the Hundred Years War is testament to this fact. The large number of castles built in Europe during the Medieval age is another testament to the frequency of war, as nearly every nobleman found it necessary to build a castle for his own defence and protection.
Arranged Marriages
Succesful diplomatic efforts were often marked by a marriage between two houses. Medieval Kings placed great emphasis on the importance of daughters, as they often were wedded off to troublesome nobles or to cement foreign alliances.