What was feudalism and how did is affect the life of a Lord?





Feudalism flourished in Medieval Europe between the 9th and 15th centuries. It was a way of structuring society around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labour. Although the Chronicles of Nadine takes place around 800 AD, we used a range of medieval concepts that spanned across many centuries to create a world for the series.Under the feudal system, there were different groups with varying degrees of power and status.


A king or queen owned all the land, which they broke up and gave out in exchange for military service. The Lord or knight who received the land was called a vassal and was legally obligated to provide services in exchange for that land. 


In the Chronicles of Nadine, Nadine’s father, Nicolaus received Land from Lord Logan and had to resume his Knightly services.Knight service was military duties performed in exchange for the lands. 


A King or Lord might require the military service for wars or expeditions or for riding and escorting services or guarding the castle. 


What complicated things in the Chronicles of Nadine was that Lord Logan’s lands fell within the Northern Kingdom. His service was to King Radolf. This meant that Lord Logan, and all the knights who served under him, were honour bound to serve King Radolf. Lord Logan married King Radolf’s betrothed after had escaped the Northern Kingdom and sort sanctuary in Lord Logan’s territory. She did it under a false identity and lived in medieval bliss until Nadine dropped a dagger in the tunnels that belonged to Lady Christine’s mother. This lead to King Radolf discovering the location of Lady Christine.


Treason an act of disloyalty to the crown and including attempts to murder the monarch or act against the monarch. In 1351, to be hung, drawn and quartered became a statutory penalty for treason. Lord Logan had lived in peace with King Radolf. But his love for Christine would lead to a war that would result in him leading an army in an attempt to regain Lady Christine’s birthright. This uprising would constitute a direct attack against the King and be a treasonable offence. However, King Radolf’s reputation for abusing women was well known and his advisors advised against a direct attack against Lord Logan because of a woman. He wanted Lady Christine back but did not want to appear to have a personal vendetta. The church still had the power to excommunicate a King and by doing so could make lead to other nobles rising up against the King.

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