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Medieval Feudalism

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Medieval Feudalism

By: Carl Stephenson
Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
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About this listen

 Medieval feudalism is one of those subjects that most of us are familiar with, and yet have difficulty describing. Was is a political, military, economic, or social system? And how did it develop? All these questions are answered in this superb book. Carl Stephenson has done a magnificent job of paring away all extraneous subjects and focusing on just the key elements. This short book, a masterpiece of brevity, succinctly sums up medieval feudalism better than anything ever written.

Medieval feudalism was essentially a means of paying retainers in land, rather than money. With the collapse of the Roman Empire and the disappearance of coinage, the only medium of exchange left was land and its produce. Thus, the barbarian German rulers of France sought some means of retaining able-bodied soldiery and companions at court.

What evolved was a process of infeudiation - essentially an exchange of land for military service. The entire concept of vassalage, liege lord, and knighthood came about in France in the early Middle Ages, though many of its more advanced forms did not evolve until much later.

This is an important book for any history buff who has the least interest in the Middle Ages.

©2007 Audio Connoisseur (P)2007 Audio Connoisseur Europe Literary History & Criticism France Military Mediaeval History

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Fantastic concise overview of Frankish Feudalism

Another great narration by Charlton Griffin and historic audiobook by Audio Connoisseur, a very brief but informative book by Carl Stephenson focusing on the origin of the feudal system from the ancient Germanic warrior class, spread into western Europe by the Franks and England by the Normans.

These older 2 reviews are clearly by foolish people ignorant of history, it is super clear when he says “vassal” and “fief”!

Obviously if you don’t like Charlton Griffin’s voice then don’t get this book!

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