benefits of feudalism in the middle ages

There was very little social mobility, or chance to move upward in status during the Middle Ages. Lords often forced families to pay a tax when a member of their household died to compensate for the manor’s loss of labor.

Serfs were encouraged to have many children because a small family might not have enough daylight hours to tend their family plot after their work in the Lord’s fields was complete. Serfs were not allowed to marry without permission from the Lord the family of a serf would have to turn over additional crops when someone wanted to marry and leave the manor. In exchange, serfs were required to work a particular number of days on the lord’s personal fields. The Lord provided the serf and his family a safe place to live and land to grow food. Serfs could not be sold as slaves, but they could not leave their manor without permission from the Lord. Some peasants were freemen who owned or rented land from the Lord, but most were serfs. Peasant farmers needed the noble’s protection as German, Viking, Magyar, and Moorish armies overran small houses and farms throughout Europe. The galloping horse was also a moving target that was difficult for an enemy force to attack. A knight attacking on horseback with a lance tucked under his arm caused tremendous damage to his foe. The introduction of stirrups, supports for the rider’s feet hanging from the saddle, allowed cavalry to remain on their horses. The nobles pledged to train knights, mounted warriors who fought using swords and lances.

Benefits of feudalism in the middle ages