The Noble’s point of view

By Sir Beven of Ostenbridge

This document concerns the feudal system, which is found in many kingdoms with only slight variations. The system itself can be explained simply as follows:

Every individual enters into social contracts with those around him; most of these are informal and governed by tradition. However it is the formal, often written, contract between a man and his social superior which is the core of the feudal system. 

The king in theory owns all the land in the realm. But in practice it is impossible for him to govern it. So he delegates ownership of large areas to trusted men, who become the high nobles. They in turn delegate sections ( the classic 20x20 km areas ) to middle nobles, who then divide their lands into estates and give them to the lower nobles.

So long as a noble is loyal to his overlord and to the king his family holds the land. The exact laws about how a noble can be dispossessed of his land vary a great deal, but ultimately all realms agree that the king has the right to take back what he gave out.

The particular agreement between a lord and his overlord is called vassalage. Both parties have certain rights and obligations, rules they must follow. The overlord is not at liberty to simply demand anything he wants from his vassal. Of course the burden of obligations does weigh more heavily on the vassal than it does on the overlord.

A similar although less formal contract also exists between a lord and his common people. They have a great deal of obligations towards him, but he also has duties towards them. Although it rarely happens a lord can be dismissed, by his overlord, for failing to protect and provide good justice to his people.

Also in the feudal system there is legal division of social class. By law people must follow the occupation of their father. Mobility between classes is possible but difficult. Usually it requires the patronage of a noble who rewards the achievements of a low born. Only nobles may own land, commoners must rent it.

Social ranks from low to high;

-2. Slaves – those who are not considered people under the law.

-1. Serfs – those who are tied to the land, especially farmers.

  0. Peasants – including all primary resource producers. They are mostly free.

+1. Craftsmen – including all merchants.

+2. Warriors – including only those who devote their full time to this occupation.

+3. Mystics – including priests, sages, wizards, doctors.

+4. Lord – the owner of an estate.

+5. Baron – the owner of a large area, with several lords under him.

+6. Earl  – the owner of a city and its area,  including several estates.

+7. Duke – ruler of a province, with one Earl and several Barons under him.

+8. King – the ruler of the nation, also the high priest is of this rank. 

Having taken a short look at the feudal structure, we shall now examine Chivalry.

In most realms the idea of Chivalry plays an important role in the lives of nobles. It is a philosophy that outlines the correct ways of acting in all life’s situations. It is a code of honor, not a legal document.     

The three virtues are; respect, responsibility and bravery.

*One must respect elders and social superiors, realizing that they have wisdom and authority. Respect is a healthy recognition of the other person’s honour. It requires obedience, but does not call for blind loyalty.

*One must be responsible, taking credit or blame for their actions, and generally being truthful. They must perform tasks to the best of their ability, regardless of personal feelings. This is often seen as the commoner’s virtue, but it applies to all. It tells the soldier to stand and die fighting.

*One must also be brave in the face of all danger. This is easy if you consider the importance put upon having a heroic death. It is better to take some action, even if it is ill thought out, than to freeze in fright or run away in cowardice. This is not to say that one can never withdraw from a situation. Bravery does not mean foolishly throwing away your life.

Upon these three virtues are based all the rules of Chivalry. Respect leads to the complicated social etiquette. Responsibility leads to the honourable forms of combat. Bravery leads to the expectation of a leader to command from the front. 

What concerns the nobles most?  

Poets would have us believe that it is glory in battle. But it is not. Nor is it the political game of intrigue that is social climbing. What is on the mind of most nobles is land management. It is a subject not much sung about by the troubadours.

A small lord deals directly with his estate. He must arrange it so that it provides the income needed to meet his obligations and provide him some luxury. This quickly brings up the question of how to treat his people. Surfs can be worked hard and have little remorse to their complaints.  But some experts say this offers lower output in the long run. Peasants on the other hand must be given a larger share of the crops and more freedom. But they usually work harder as they stand to gain something from doing so.

A higher lord has the same concerns, plus he must deal with his vassals. Ideally they all respect him and pay their taxes. In reality many try to avoid some of their obligations.

The poets say a noble’s main skill is use of sword and lance. But the reality is that the skills of land and people management are more valuable in day to day life.       

 What about inheritance?

According to holy law, the owner of a thing can chose who shall inherit it. According to tradition in most kingdoms, the first son gets the land; other sons get weapons and horses, while girls get objects of beauty and utility for their new home. What this means in practice is that a noble may give his land to anyone; however he is expected to give it to one of his sons, usually the first. If he has no sons, he may pass it to his daughter or other close male relative.

In most noble houses the first two boys train as warriors, expecting that the eldest will inherit and the younger may act as his chief of the guards. A third son if usually sent to be educated by the church and expected to enter it. If the family is wealthy enough they send each child to the Royal University for a year or two. This provides education, but more importantly it acts as a place to meet the other highborn young adults of the kingdom. 

What is the difference between a knight and a lord?

A lord holds his title by heredity. It can only be revoked in extraordinary situations. A knight is given his title by the king ( in some lands other high nobles may also create knights ). However it is not hereditary, on his death the small estate that went with the title reverts back to the crown. Thus the children of a knight are very motivated to win recognition and be knighted in order to hold onto the family estate.

In each Barony there are several small estates set aside for the knights. This is part of the feudal arrangement. The Baron acts as regent of any untenured estate. Often he allows the family of the dead knight to live there and oversee the peasants. They are called Yeoman and although they do not really own the land, they control it, including its revenue.