Idealism And Lord: Feudal Relationships In Medieval History

The difference between vassal and lord shows the ranking of power, and the foundation for feudal relationships of medieval history. Idealised views of feudalism represent honorable agreements between a lord and his vassal or vassals in which they both offered their loyalties to one another in exchange for land and services that were usually military in nature. Instead the Agreement between Count William V of Aquitaine and Hugh IV of Lusignan translated by Paul Hyams of Cornell University, demonstrates the tumultuous relationships between vassal and lord for the struggle of having and maintain power and authority. This literary account shows the conflict that formed between Hugh and William. The text depicts the kinds of relationships that had …show more content…
Count William knew he could take advantage of his vassal Hugh because of his rank that was created by the feudal system. Even though Hugh had an important city and had a number of additional claims to other land, William asserted his unyielding power over his territory and thus Hugh’s; Hugh being William’s vassal. William asserted his authority over Hugh countless times, one example being when Hugh had “captured forty-three of the best horsemen” of an enemy and William demanded Hugh to “Hand over the men”. William did so by saying “because you are mine to do my will.” asserting his dominance over Hugh who was of lower rank. With every demand William asked of Hugh, Hugh complied with complete obedience, further representing the hierarchal gap between land owners and their …show more content…
By the time feudalism began to take cement itself within society of the eleventh century, the Church was deeply embedded in people’s lives. An oath was related to the church and God, and was to be taken with utter seriousness. The oath between a lord and vassal was meant to solidify their allegiance to each other. Hugh even places “his trust in God and in the count” even after the Count had ill fully taken advantage of him before. William had promised that “if any harm come to you, you can know that I shall make it up to you.” Hugh had continued do what was commanded of him “out of love of the count and fidelity to him,” yet received no assistance from Count William. Even though William continued to take advantage of Hugh, Hugh continued to “put his trust in his lord”. This represents how meaningful oaths were because of the connection to the church and loyalty and how it bound feudal ties even when the relation Although “The Agreement between Count William V of Aquitaine and Hugh IV of Lusignan” appears to be more like a narrated story it depicts what relationships were lie amongst people wo held different ties to land. Even though the text has drama qualities such as the confrontations between William and Hugh that give rise to angst and frustration it still gives historians insight into feudal relationships with it’s link between oaths, the church, and loyal