This type of landed estate began to cause problems of loyalty just before feudalism began to crumble under the popularity of capitalism. Some vassals were multiplied in the sense that they would attempt to acquire as much land as possible. This caused a conflict in loyalties, as one vassal could owe loyalty to many lords. This situation brought forth the term "liege lord" (335), which identified one lord that had power over the other lords should a conflict ever arise. Noble points out how the feudal system "shows vertical bonds in its hierarchy of vassalic ties and its command of the peasant population" (353). It should also be noted that nobility also "joined in horizontal associations" (353) as well. Noble groupings were a "kind of substitute kinship, especially for the young" (353). Noble groupings are a significant aspect of the feudal system in that they were often associated with a local monastery. They were likely to promote a local patron saint. Noblemen were known to fight together and often considered themselves "comrades in arms" (353). It is important to examine a specific culture of nobility, which is chivalry. Chivalry and feudalism are not identical, as many might believe. Chivalry was a code of conduct that was carried out by the warrior aristocracy. Noble points out the word chivalry comes from the French words for horse, which supports the image of the chivalrous knight. Moreover, while it was a code of conduct, it prized military prowess as one of it most respected virtues. Noble contends that a knight what was not a great warrior was "useless" (353). Another important virtue among this culture of feudalism included "open-handed generosity" (353). Nobles writes that the "truly noble person engaged in sumptuous display to make his power manifest,...

Knights were extremely concerned about their reputations and sought glory, as this was the best way to secure a lord or a bride. Loyalty is also another characteristic that was extremely important in the world of feudalism and, in Noble's opinion, was the glue that held the feudal society together.
McGill asserts that the feudal system became complicated over time. Kings granted their vassals very large tracts of land. In turn, these vassals granted parts of their own fiefs to sub-vassals, who swore loyalty and military service to the vassals. This was repeated until an extensive hierarchy was established. At the bottom of the structure was the lowest knight who had enough land and servants to support his own family, but had no vassals" (McGill). There were times when the system dimply could not do all that it was supposed to do. McGill states that vassals and lords would break promises and the "power of the lord often came into question by greedy vassals" (McGill). Situations would arise where others would have more power than kings. This all seemed to happen as it should. Shortly thereafter capitalism began to emerge as a way of life for many to achieve a good life. In addition, currency became the mode of transactions rather than land. The development of towns also led to the demise of feudalism.

Works Cited

Chodorow, Stanley, et al. A History of the World. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich

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Craig, Albert, et al. The Heritage of World Civilizations. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 2000.

Duiker, William. The Essential World History. Belmont: Thompson Wadsworth. 2008.

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