Feudal And Serfs Political System

Feudalism, the main political system of the time, worked very efficiently. Feudalism was very much a system of give and get, where each class give something to the classes around them, therefore supporting each other. Serfs were the bottom of feudalism, and received very little as such. To put it in the simplest terms possible, the gained protection inside the domain of the higher classes. Serfs were often picked on by higher classes, as well as marauders and thieves, if they were not protected. As such, they went to feudalistic lords for protection. There, they gained a place in the manor, or the place where the lord held sway. The y build houses and were paid for the work they did in the field, although this was a very small amount of money. Think of it as a minimum wage …show more content…
No matter what the relationship, the serf would owe their lord many services and taxes. The serf, in return for the protection they gained, worked the lord’s fields, and the lord often dictates when, where, and for how long they did it. They owe their labor and their life to the lord, who gives them protection in turn for work. However, often times the serfs would also owe large amounts of money through the means of taxes. For example, a serf would owe their lord money when a family member died, or whenever they wish to use his mill. They might owe the lord grain when they wish to use his ovens or winepress. Of course, as they need to do this to fulfill their obligations, they will always end up paying this tax. Also, during harvest or plowing season, the lord might require extra days or hours from their serfs. In short, serfs help their lords meet their material obligations to the monarch so that the lord can take care of his military obligations, such as protecting the serfs (A. Smith 8). feudalism was a system of give and get, even from it’s bottom