Difference between revisions of "Feudalism"

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{{Stub| Needs to be rewritten to reflect ASOIAF world, see [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Concordance/Section/2.3./ Concordance] and [[:fr:Société féodale des Sept Couronnes]] for reference}}
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[[File:Thaldir Robert Baratheon.jpg|thumb|350px|King [[Robert I Baratheon]], by Tiziano Baracchi © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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'''Feudalism''' is the the structure of society in the [[Seven Kingdoms]], as it is largely resembles the [[w:Feudalism|feudal system]] of [[w:Middle Ages|medieval Europe]]. This society is based on a rigid social structure and government consisted of [[king]]s, [[lord]]s, and peasants. Nobles rule over the [[smallfolk]] within their territory through a system of fealty and sworn oaths. In this system each man owes military service to his lord in return for protection, a grant of land, and the peasants to work it.
  
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Vassals or [[bannermen]] are those granted the use of land, in return for rendering homage, fealty, and usually military service or its equivalent to a liege lord or other superior. The liege and vassal each have responsibilities to one another; the vassal must remain loyal to the liege above any other lords, while the liege is the vassal's principal protector.
  
'''Feudalism''' describes the society structure of the [[Seven Kingdoms]], as it is largely resembles the [[w:Feudalism|feudal system]] of medieval Europe.
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Feudalism existed in Westeros prior to [[Aegon's Conquest]], and King [[Aegon I Targaryen]] confirmed the feudal structure after creating his realm.{{ref|FAB|Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I}}
  
Feudalism was introduced to [[Westeros]] by the [[Andal]] traditions{{fact}} and is practised within the borders of the Seven Kingdoms. This society is based on a rigid social structure and government consisted of kings, lords, and the peasants. Nobles rule over the smallfolk within their territory through a system of fealty and sworn oaths. In this system each man owes military service to his lord in return for protection, a grant of land, and the peasants to work it.  
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==Social hierarchy==
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[[File:Komarck Tywin Lannister FFG.jpg|thumb|350px|Lord [[Tywin Lannister]], by Michael Komarck © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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The feudal system has a rigid structure of social classes. [[Arya Stark]]{{Ref|AGOT|15}} and [[Tyrion Lannister]]{{Ref|AGOT|38}} are examples of highborn, those born into prestigious noble families. One cannot gain or lose the status; the impoverished, exiled, and powerless [[Daenerys Targaryen]] is still highborn,{{Ref|AGOT|3}} as is [[Alliser Thorne]]{{Ref|AGOT|60}} despite him having joined the [[Night's Watch]] to avoid execution.{{Ref|AGOT|21}} The former smuggler [[Davos Seaworth]] of [[Flea Bottom]] says that highborn do not consider him one of them despite his knighthood, land, [[keep]], and [[banner]].{{Ref|ACOK|0}}{{Ref|ACOK|10}}
  
==Social hierarchy==
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Highborn status is desirable; [[Jon Snow]], a [[bastard]], dreams that his unknown mother is "beautiful, and highborn".{{Ref|AGOT|19}} People expect highborn to differ from others in behavior,{{Ref|AGOT|2}} dress,{{Ref|AFFC|26}} speech,{{Ref|ASOS|1}}{{Ref|AFFC|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|14}}{{Ref|ADWD|32}} given names,{{Ref|ASOS|2}} and even their [[flowering]]{{Ref|AGOT|60}} and [[maidenhead]]s.{{Ref|AFFC|28}} Highborn bastards have special surnames,<ref name=SF>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/2999/ SF, Targaryens, Valyria, Sansa, Martells, and More], June 26, 2001</ref> highborn lords rarely ride with [[hedge knight]]s{{Ref|TMK}} (and highborn women are unlikely to marry them),{{ref|TSS}} and highborn prisoners of war are held for ransom when others are killed.{{Ref|ACOK|20}}
The feudal system has rigid structure of social classes. Those who are born commoners can expect to die as commoners. There are no provisions for the advancement of individuals from a lower class into the higher classes. This is not to say that it is impossible, only that it is very difficult, usually bestowed by lords to those who have done a great service to them, or [[knight]]s bestow the rank and title of Knighthood on any individual who has proven himself worthy.
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Those who are not highborn are lowborn or [[smallfolk]]. Smallfolk who become members of nobility can still be considered lowborn.{{Ref|ACOK|2}} Despite [[House Seaworth]]'s creation, most highborn scorn Ser Davos, and being lowborn embarrasses his sons.{{Ref|ACOK|0}}{{Ref|ACOK|10}} Davos hopes his sons will become knights, and his grandchildren will be highborn.{{Ref|ASOS|36}}{{Ref|ADWD|29}} Most lowborn can, however, expect to die as commoners. There are no provisions for the advancement of individuals from a lower class into the higher classes. This is not to say that it is impossible, only that it is very difficult, usually bestowed by lords to those who have done a great service to them, or [[knight]]s bestow the rank and title of knighthood on any individual who has proven himself worthy.
  
 
===King===
 
===King===
The King on the [[Iron Throne]], the [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], is at the top of the pyramid; beneath him are the various lords and knights, with peasants, also known as [[smallfolk]], at the bottom. The king sits on the Iron Throne, claims ownership of the land, has the final political authority and holds the ultimate power in all matters. Although in practice the king is constrained by political realities, and while no individual command is likely to be countermanded, he could still lose his position to intrigue if he were to offend the wrong people. Of course, as kings do not retire, this loss of position would involve his death.
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The [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]], also known as the [[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]], has the highest feudal rank; beneath him are the various [[lord]]s and [[knight]]s, with [[smallfolk]] at the bottom. The king sits on the [[Iron Throne]] and claims ownership of the land. Having final political authority, he holds ultimate power in all matters. Although in practice the king is constrained by political realities, and while no individual command is likely to be countermanded, he could still lose his position to intrigue if he were to offend the wrong people. Of course, as kings do not retire, this loss of position would involve his death.
  
Kings in turn have vassals, the high lords of great houses. These high lords control the major regions of the Seven Kingdoms, and in turn employ vassals of their own; even these lords might have vassal lords sworn to them. This system terminates with the lowest level subordinate knights or minor land owners.
 
<!-- King, royal family, high lords of great houses, lords, minor lords, landed knights, knights and peasants at the bottom. -->
 
 
===Nobility===
 
===Nobility===
:{{Main|Lord}}
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====Lord====
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[[File:Calling the BannersDiego Gisbert LlorensII.png|thumb|350px|Calling the Banners, by Diego Gisbert Llorens © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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In Westeros's system of nobility, above knights and below the king there are only [[lord]]s, some greater and some lesser, some sworn to others, but all with the same title; the exception is the [[Lord of Sunspear]], who still holds the title "[[Prince of Dorne]]". Nobility among the [[bannermen]] is hereditary, expressed through vassalage which connect between them the various owners of strongholds.<ref name=MC>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Social_Structure_Moat_Cailin_and_More Social Structure, Moat Cailin, and More], June 10, 2002</ref>
  
In [[George R. R. Martin]]'s world there are only lords, some bigger and some smaller, some sworn to others, but still all with the same title - save for the Lords of [[Sunspear]], who still hold the title "[[Prince of Dorne]]." Nobility is a hereditary title, that it is expressed through the bonds of vassalage which connect between them the various owners of strongholds. Each lord has vassals; sometimes the vassals themselves have vassals, and this may continue onward down the line.
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The lords of the [[great houses]] have the highest ranks in their regions of the Seven Kingdoms, and are vassals only to the king. Petty lords at the bottom, in contrast, might only have a village.{{ref|ASOS|68}} It is the lord's responsibility to govern his lands, keep the [[king's peace]], enforce [[law and justice]] on local matters, and ensure that taxes due to the king are collected in a timely manner.
  
The lords of the great house are at the top of the societal order, holding dominion over one of the nine regions of the seven kingdoms, second only to the king. There are petty lords at the bottom, entrusted with only a few villages. It is the Lord's responsibility to see to the affairs of his lands, keep the King's peace, [[Law and justice|judge]] on local matters, and ensure that taxes due to the king are collected in a timely manner.
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Some lords have titles which belong only to their houses, such as [[House Greyjoy]] having "[[Lord Reaper of Pyke]]" and [[House Lannister]] using "[[Shield of Lannisport]]". Titles do not necessarily elevate a lord above others, but can demonstrate a house's history or ambition. [[House Manderly]] has several titles which relate to their origins in the [[Reach]] instead of their current home in the [[north]], but are preserved as tradition. [[House Caron]] claim the title "[[Lord of the Marches]]",{{Ref|AGOT|29}} but they do not hold dominion over other [[marcher lords]] in the [[Dornish Marches]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Stormlands: The Men of the Stormlands}}
  
Some lords have extra titles which belong only to their houses: [[House Greyjoy]], for example, has the title of "[[Lord Reaper of Pyke]]", [[House Lannister]] has "Shield of Lannisport", the newly-created [[House Royce of the Gates of the Moon]] has the title of Keeper of the Gates of the Moon made hereditary for them, and [[House Manderly]] has several flowery titles, many of which relate to their past life in the [[Reach]] and make no sense in the [[north]], but are preserved as tradition. These titles do not elevate a lord above others, they serve as markers of a house's history.
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[[Warden]]s are commanders who exercise military functions for the [[Warden of the North|north]], [[Warden of the East|east]], [[Warden of the South|south]], and [[Warden of the West|west]] of the Seven Kingdoms. There are also wardens for smaller geographic locations, such as [[Wyman Manderly]] being [[Warden of the White Knife]].
  
*A '''steward''' is a man responsible for running the day-to-day affairs of the castle and acting on the lord's behalf. He may be entrusted with the castle in the lord's absence.
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There appear to be roughly one thousand or so families holding lordly rank in the Seven Kingdoms. There are nine major regions or provinces in the Seven Kingdoms, each of which has about a dozen or so major vassal houses (House Umber, House Glover, etc.). Each of these major lords in turn have anywhere from two or three to about a dozen minor lords who serve as their own vassals ([[House Cassel]], [[House Forrester]], etc.): 9 x 12 = 108, and 108 x 10 = ~1080 (plus the nine Great Houses themselves). This seems to loosely match the only explicit number of lords ever given, for the [[Great Council of Harrenhal]] in {{date|101}}. It was said that almost all lords in the realm came to the council, and their number was given as roughly one thousand.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} The number of lordly houses is in flux, however, as over time some die out through war, or new ones are created by younger sons. Minor vassal houses, of course, have a higher turnover rate than major vassal houses.
  
===Knights===
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A [[steward]] is responsible for running the day-to-day affairs of the castle and acting on the lord's behalf. He or a [[castellan]] may be entrusted with the castle in the lord's absence.
:{{Main|Knight|Landed knight}}
 
  
Knights are the lowest rank of the nobility. This class is made of landed knights, who have been given a keep and grant of land to administer. They have their own peasants and men-at-arms, and may even take sworn swords. Landed knights are sworn to fight for the lord who holds dominion over their land. While the wealthiest knights manage more land than the poorest lords, landed knights do not have the authority to deliver [[law and justice]] in their land. Rather, they must appeal to their liege lord.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1203/ Knights and Lords (March 02, 2002)]</ref>
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Foreign societies also have hierarchies. A daughter of the [[Prince of Pentos]], a sister of the [[Archon of Tyrosh]], and highborn girls from [[Myr]] attended the [[Maiden's Day Cattle Show]] restricted to members of nobility.{{Ref|FAB|Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows}}
  
Landed knight is a rare rank in the [[north]] and is almost nonexistent on the [[Iron Islands]], because knighthood is culturally linked with the [[Faith of the Seven]], which is not widely practiced in those lands.
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====Landed knights====
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[[Landed knight]]s are the lowest rank of the nobility, consisting of [[knight]]s given a [[keep]] and grant of land to administer. They have their own peasants and [[men-at-arms]], and may even take [[sworn sword]]s. Landed knights are sworn to fight for the lord who holds dominion over their land. Some landed knights manage more land than poorer lords, but these landed knights do not have the authority to deliver [[law and justice]] in their land. Rather, they must appeal to their liege lord.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1203 Knights and Lords], March 2, 2002</ref>
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Knighthood is culturally linked with the [[Faith of the Seven]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1191 Religion and Knighthood], December 28, 2001</ref> Landed knight is a rare rank in the [[north]] and is almost nonexistent on the [[Iron Islands]], since the Faith is not widely practiced in those lands.
  
 
===Commoners===
 
===Commoners===
:{{Main|Smallfolk}}
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[[File:Andrew Hall Western Fiefdoms.png|thumb|350px|Western Fiefdoms by Andrew Hall © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Commoners or smallfolk are the bottom of the social structure. They do not own lands or titles; they work the land of their lords, and do not have a say in their own governing. While this may seem similar to [[slavery]], the difference is that commoners own themselves, and can make appeals to their local lord regarding violations of the law or general disagreements between parties; they are recognized as having a right to fair and just treatment by the nobility and society in general. Most Houses have [[Law and justice|laws]] protecting the local population from abuse or mistreatment, even by members of the nobility. However, those laws differ and are enforced in varying degrees, mostly depending on the disposition of the local lord.
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Commoners or [[smallfolk]] are the bottom of the social structure. They do not own lands or titles, working instead the land of their lords and lacking a say in their own governing. While this may seem similar to [[slavery]], the difference is that commoners own themselves, and can make appeals to their local lord regarding violations of the law or general disagreements between parties; they are recognized as having a right to fair and just treatment by the nobility and society in general. Most Houses have [[Law and justice|laws]] protecting the local population from abuse or mistreatment, even by members of the nobility. However, those laws differ and are enforced in varying degrees, mostly depending on the disposition of the local lord.
 
 
Many of the tradesmen and craftsmen belong to guilds, such as the [[Alchemists' Guild]].
 
 
 
There is little social mobility; odds are that if you are born a commoner, you will never be able to rise above commoner status. However, it does happen, and there several examples of people who have managed it. [[Varys]] was a common-born slave, and rose to be the spymaster of the Seven Kingdoms. [[Dunk]] was born a commoner in [[Flea Bottom]], yet he was able to rise to be a member of the [[Kingsguard]].
 
  
==Terms==
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Many tradesmen and craftsmen belong to guilds, such as the [[Alchemists' Guild]].
* [[Warden]], commanders who exercise military functions for the [[Warden of the North|north]], [[Warden of the East|east]], [[Warden of the South|south]], and [[Warden of the West|west]] of the Seven Kingdoms. There are also wardens for smaller geographic locations, such as the [[Wyman Manderly]] being [[Warden of the White Knife]].
 
* Liege, the primary lord of a vassal who holds by military tenure. The liege lord and vassal each have responsibilities to one another; the vassal must remain loyal to the liege lord above any other lords, while the liege is the vassal's principal protector.
 
* Vassal, a person granted the use of land, in return for rendering homage, fealty, and usually military service or its equivalent to a lord or other superior. They are frequently referred to as "[[bannermen]]".  
 
<!-- ==============
 
This section, will have some great use but not here, it should explain the basic concept in the most simplest of ways, this is not a history lesson
 
  
The northerners appear to correspond closely to medieval Scots armies and when Robb Stark is mustering his banners we're told that the Karstarks comprise 300 horse and 2,000 infantry, who all appear to be pikemen, which is certainly consistent.
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There is little social mobility; odds are that if someone is born a commoner, they will never rise above commoner status. There are exceptions, however. [[Varys]] was born a slave in [[Lys]], but he rose to become [[master of whisperers]] in the Seven Kingdoms. Ser [[Duncan the Tall]] was born a commoner in [[Flea Bottom]], yet he was able to become [[Lord Commander of the Kingsguard]].
  
Aside from the immediate retinues of those who cared to maintain them (see below), the Scots relied for national defence on what was known as the fencible system. In theory all men between the traditional ages of 16 and 60 were liable for 40 days military service if demanded, but in practice each Sheriffdom was obliged to hold periodic wapinschaws (weapon-showings) where everybody was supposed to turn up and be assessed. At this point all the halt, lame and otherwise infirm were weeded out, together with other exempt categories such as priests and married men with families. Once the available male population had thus been whittled down according to the judgement of the worthies overseeing the process, a roll would be compiled of those actually fit for service. Should they then be required to actually muster men to go off to war it was then customary to take one man in four or one man in eight from that roll. The rest stayed at home, but if necessary could be mustered again and another levy made, either to provide reinforcements/replacements for the original draft or to meet another quite different threat.
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==Quotes==
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{{Quote|The [[great houses]] stand far above the lesser nobles, as the lesser nobles do above the [[smallfolk]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Various_questions_concerning_Tywin_Oberyn_Gregor_the_North_and_Sansa Various questions concerning Tywin, Oberyn, Gregor, the North, and Sansa], April 15, 2008</ref>|[[George R. R. Martin]]}}
  
The obligation for 40 days service was also less straightforward than it first appears in so far as when they were first levied they were to be provided locally with 40 days pay and provisions (largely contributed by those staying at home to look after farms, mills and everyday life). Once the 40 days were up they were not automatically entitled to turn around and go home again, but if they were to be retained in service beyond that time responsibility for paying and provisioning passed to the Crown.
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{{Quote|The [[lord]]s have [[vassal]]s, the vassals have vassals, and sometimes the vassals of the vassals have vassals, down to the guy who can raise five friends.<ref name=MC/>|[[George R. R. Martin]]}}
  
What this basically means in Westerosi terms is that the various levies who marched south with Robb Stark and his bannermen represented the "ordinary" strength of the northern lords, but if further levies were required to march after them it would be possible to find them providing the weapons could be procured to arm them all. The caveat would have to be entered though that all the keen and enthusiastic ones will have gone out with the first levy. {{Ref|aGoT|31}}
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{{Quote|Homage is the duty every leal subject owes his king.{{ref|ADWD|3}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Jon Snow]]}}
 
 
The armies of the Reach appear to correspond in composition and character to those of England and France in the 14th century and so largely recruited by a combination of Bastard Feudalism and Livery & Maintenance.
 
 
 
Feudalism was a straightforward contract whereby the King would grant a certain area of land to one of his followers who in turn would provide a corresponding number of men for military service. This worked well enough on a short term basis, especially if the grant was recent enough to arouse a sense of gratitude, but worked less well if the levies were required for a prolonged period of service far away from home. Accordingly, while personal service could still be demanded the system was generally superseded by bastard feudalism, under which instead of turning out the men a lord could pay the King the equivalent value in order that he could hire them himself. This was convenient for both parties because it meant that the King could raise permanent forces who would be better equipped and trained than feudal levies. Exactly the same process was carried on at a lower level, with a Lord who was willing to go off to the wars extracting men rather than money from his tenants in order to hire proper soldiers who would wear his livery and be maintained by him. They in turn could then form the nucleus of a retinue when the King issued an indenture or contract to that Lord to hire soldiers using the monies remitted by other Lords in lieu of such personal service.
 
 
 
The net effect of this system was that while county or shire levies could still be raised as and when required for a specific purpose, most armies were comprised of professional or semi-professional soldiers, with the levies being employed on non-military tasks such as driving wagons and pack animals, digging and repairing roads, bridges and fortifications.
 
 
 
The actual soldiers thus raised fell into four basic categories: Men at arms, who were as their title suggests, well armoured and equipped, who could fight on foot or on horseback as required. All knights were men at arms, but not all men at arms were knights; other cavalry such as Hobelars who were lightly armoured; Footmen, who were infantry and generally armed with pole-arms of some description. These might be spears or pikes, but in many armies halberds or bills were preferred. Then finally there were the archers, who were specialists requiring training from boyhood, and highly paid accordingly.
 
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<!-- real world references
 
===Fealty===
 
Obligation of fidelity in a military, political and social sense on the part of a feudal tenant or vassal to his lord. The contract is not to be confused with homage, though both ceremonies were conducted at the same time. In the first part of the ceremony, where the liegeman swore personal homage to the lord, they swore to ‘become his man’. The lord swore an oath of his own where he pledged protection and defense for the tenant. During the second part of the ceremony, only the liegeman swore the oath, swearing to perform faithful service for the land so tendered. Called foi in French, Treue or Triuwe in German. [http://www.chronique.com/Library/Glossaries/glossary-KCT/gloss_f.htm]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
== Titles ==
 
===Liege===
 
The primary lord of a vassal who holds by military tenure. The liege lord and vassal each have responsibilities to one another; the vassal must remain loyal to the liege lord above any other lords, while the liege is the vassal's principal protector. If a vassal holds land by such tenure from more than one lord, his or her liege lord is generally the one from whom he has held the longest. [http://www.aedificium.org/Glossary.html]
 
 
 
===Lord Paramount===
 
Subinfeudation, in English law, the practice by which tenants, holding land under the king or other superior lord, carved out in their turn by sub-letting or alienating a part of their lands new and distinct tenures.
 
 
 
The tenants were termed "mesne-lords," with regard to those holding from them, the immediate tenant being tenant in capite. The lowest tenant of all was the freeholder, or, as he was sometimes termed tenant paravail. The Crown, who in theory owned all lands, was lord paramount.
 
''See: [[Feudalism#Subinfeudation|Subinfeudation]]''
 
 
 
===Retainer===
 
Nobles typically employ a working household commensurate to their status. From the cook staff to the mechwarriors, there are many jobs that must be done to maintain the estate that is expected of a noble. The noble pays his retainers a wage, provides for their living expenses, and provides for their defence. In return, they are expected to always be available to serve their employer and to do so loyally and to the best of their abilities. What follows is a guide to the types of servants and retainers that a lord may employee, their pay and cost of living expenses, and recommended minimums for a given household. Remember, the base salary and living expenses can be modified up or down to reflect poorer or better conditions, pay, experience, and standing. [http://http://www.sanctum.com/surfers/btech/wealth&power.htm]
 
''see: Household Knights''
 
-->
 
 
 
==Reference==
 
# Heavily based on Real life, medieval [[w:Feudalism|Feudal system]], [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Concordance/Entry/2064/ Knighthood] and [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Concordance/Section/2.3./ Customs] entry at the Concordance.
 
  
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==References==
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#The Citadel: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Concordance/Entry/2064/ Knighthood]
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#The Citadel: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Concordance/Section/2.3./ Customs]
 
{{references|}}
 
{{references|}}
  
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[[Category:Society]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Society]]
 
  
 
[[fr:Société féodale des Sept Couronnes]]
 
[[fr:Société féodale des Sept Couronnes]]
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[[pt:Feudalismo]]
 
[[zh:封建制度]]
 
[[zh:封建制度]]

Latest revision as of 20:27, 10 February 2023

King Robert I Baratheon, by Tiziano Baracchi © Fantasy Flight Games

Feudalism is the the structure of society in the Seven Kingdoms, as it is largely resembles the feudal system of medieval Europe. This society is based on a rigid social structure and government consisted of kings, lords, and peasants. Nobles rule over the smallfolk within their territory through a system of fealty and sworn oaths. In this system each man owes military service to his lord in return for protection, a grant of land, and the peasants to work it.

Vassals or bannermen are those granted the use of land, in return for rendering homage, fealty, and usually military service or its equivalent to a liege lord or other superior. The liege and vassal each have responsibilities to one another; the vassal must remain loyal to the liege above any other lords, while the liege is the vassal's principal protector.

Feudalism existed in Westeros prior to Aegon's Conquest, and King Aegon I Targaryen confirmed the feudal structure after creating his realm.[1]

Social hierarchy

Lord Tywin Lannister, by Michael Komarck © Fantasy Flight Games

The feudal system has a rigid structure of social classes. Arya Stark[2] and Tyrion Lannister[3] are examples of highborn, those born into prestigious noble families. One cannot gain or lose the status; the impoverished, exiled, and powerless Daenerys Targaryen is still highborn,[4] as is Alliser Thorne[5] despite him having joined the Night's Watch to avoid execution.[6] The former smuggler Davos Seaworth of Flea Bottom says that highborn do not consider him one of them despite his knighthood, land, keep, and banner.[7][8]

Highborn status is desirable; Jon Snow, a bastard, dreams that his unknown mother is "beautiful, and highborn".[9] People expect highborn to differ from others in behavior,[10] dress,[11] speech,[12][13][14][15] given names,[16] and even their flowering[5] and maidenheads.[17] Highborn bastards have special surnames,[18] highborn lords rarely ride with hedge knights[19] (and highborn women are unlikely to marry them),[20] and highborn prisoners of war are held for ransom when others are killed.[21]

Those who are not highborn are lowborn or smallfolk. Smallfolk who become members of nobility can still be considered lowborn.[22] Despite House Seaworth's creation, most highborn scorn Ser Davos, and being lowborn embarrasses his sons.[7][8] Davos hopes his sons will become knights, and his grandchildren will be highborn.[23][24] Most lowborn can, however, expect to die as commoners. There are no provisions for the advancement of individuals from a lower class into the higher classes. This is not to say that it is impossible, only that it is very difficult, usually bestowed by lords to those who have done a great service to them, or knights bestow the rank and title of knighthood on any individual who has proven himself worthy.

King

The King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, also known as the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, has the highest feudal rank; beneath him are the various lords and knights, with smallfolk at the bottom. The king sits on the Iron Throne and claims ownership of the land. Having final political authority, he holds ultimate power in all matters. Although in practice the king is constrained by political realities, and while no individual command is likely to be countermanded, he could still lose his position to intrigue if he were to offend the wrong people. Of course, as kings do not retire, this loss of position would involve his death.

Nobility

Lord

Calling the Banners, by Diego Gisbert Llorens © Fantasy Flight Games

In Westeros's system of nobility, above knights and below the king there are only lords, some greater and some lesser, some sworn to others, but all with the same title; the exception is the Lord of Sunspear, who still holds the title "Prince of Dorne". Nobility among the bannermen is hereditary, expressed through vassalage which connect between them the various owners of strongholds.[25]

The lords of the great houses have the highest ranks in their regions of the Seven Kingdoms, and are vassals only to the king. Petty lords at the bottom, in contrast, might only have a village.[26] It is the lord's responsibility to govern his lands, keep the king's peace, enforce law and justice on local matters, and ensure that taxes due to the king are collected in a timely manner.

Some lords have titles which belong only to their houses, such as House Greyjoy having "Lord Reaper of Pyke" and House Lannister using "Shield of Lannisport". Titles do not necessarily elevate a lord above others, but can demonstrate a house's history or ambition. House Manderly has several titles which relate to their origins in the Reach instead of their current home in the north, but are preserved as tradition. House Caron claim the title "Lord of the Marches",[27] but they do not hold dominion over other marcher lords in the Dornish Marches.[28]

Wardens are commanders who exercise military functions for the north, east, south, and west of the Seven Kingdoms. There are also wardens for smaller geographic locations, such as Wyman Manderly being Warden of the White Knife.

There appear to be roughly one thousand or so families holding lordly rank in the Seven Kingdoms. There are nine major regions or provinces in the Seven Kingdoms, each of which has about a dozen or so major vassal houses (House Umber, House Glover, etc.). Each of these major lords in turn have anywhere from two or three to about a dozen minor lords who serve as their own vassals (House Cassel, House Forrester, etc.): 9 x 12 = 108, and 108 x 10 = ~1080 (plus the nine Great Houses themselves). This seems to loosely match the only explicit number of lords ever given, for the Great Council of Harrenhal in 101 AC. It was said that almost all lords in the realm came to the council, and their number was given as roughly one thousand.[29] The number of lordly houses is in flux, however, as over time some die out through war, or new ones are created by younger sons. Minor vassal houses, of course, have a higher turnover rate than major vassal houses.

A steward is responsible for running the day-to-day affairs of the castle and acting on the lord's behalf. He or a castellan may be entrusted with the castle in the lord's absence.

Foreign societies also have hierarchies. A daughter of the Prince of Pentos, a sister of the Archon of Tyrosh, and highborn girls from Myr attended the Maiden's Day Cattle Show restricted to members of nobility.[30]

Landed knights

Landed knights are the lowest rank of the nobility, consisting of knights given a keep and grant of land to administer. They have their own peasants and men-at-arms, and may even take sworn swords. Landed knights are sworn to fight for the lord who holds dominion over their land. Some landed knights manage more land than poorer lords, but these landed knights do not have the authority to deliver law and justice in their land. Rather, they must appeal to their liege lord.[31]

Knighthood is culturally linked with the Faith of the Seven.[32] Landed knight is a rare rank in the north and is almost nonexistent on the Iron Islands, since the Faith is not widely practiced in those lands.

Commoners

Western Fiefdoms by Andrew Hall © Fantasy Flight Games

Commoners or smallfolk are the bottom of the social structure. They do not own lands or titles, working instead the land of their lords and lacking a say in their own governing. While this may seem similar to slavery, the difference is that commoners own themselves, and can make appeals to their local lord regarding violations of the law or general disagreements between parties; they are recognized as having a right to fair and just treatment by the nobility and society in general. Most Houses have laws protecting the local population from abuse or mistreatment, even by members of the nobility. However, those laws differ and are enforced in varying degrees, mostly depending on the disposition of the local lord.

Many tradesmen and craftsmen belong to guilds, such as the Alchemists' Guild.

There is little social mobility; odds are that if someone is born a commoner, they will never rise above commoner status. There are exceptions, however. Varys was born a slave in Lys, but he rose to become master of whisperers in the Seven Kingdoms. Ser Duncan the Tall was born a commoner in Flea Bottom, yet he was able to become Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.

Quotes

The great houses stand far above the lesser nobles, as the lesser nobles do above the smallfolk.[33]

The lords have vassals, the vassals have vassals, and sometimes the vassals of the vassals have vassals, down to the guy who can raise five friends.[25]

Homage is the duty every leal subject owes his king.[34]

References

  1. The Citadel: Knighthood
  2. The Citadel: Customs
  1. Fire & Blood, Three Heads Had the Dragon - Governance Under King Aegon I.
  2. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 15, Sansa I.
  3. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 38, Tyrion V.
  4. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
  5. 5.0 5.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 60, Jon VIII.
  6. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 21, Tyrion III.
  7. 7.0 7.1 A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  8. 8.0 8.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 10, Davos I.
  9. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 19, Jon III.
  10. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  11. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 26, Samwell III.
  12. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 1, Jaime I.
  13. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 2, The Captain Of Guards.
  14. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 14, Tyrion IV.
  15. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.
  16. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  17. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 28, Cersei VI.
  18. So Spake Martin: SF, Targaryens, Valyria, Sansa, Martells, and More, June 26, 2001
  19. The Mystery Knight.
  20. The Sworn Sword.
  21. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 20, Tyrion V.
  22. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 2, Sansa I.
  23. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
  24. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 29, Davos IV.
  25. 25.0 25.1 So Spake Martin: Social Structure, Moat Cailin, and More, June 10, 2002
  26. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 68, Sansa VI.
  27. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 29, Sansa II.
  28. The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: The Men of the Stormlands.
  29. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  30. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
  31. So Spake Martin: Knights and Lords, March 2, 2002
  32. So Spake Martin: Religion and Knighthood, December 28, 2001
  33. So Spake Martin: Various questions concerning Tywin, Oberyn, Gregor, the North, and Sansa, April 15, 2008
  34. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 3, Jon I.