Charter Of Homage And Feudalism Analysis

“Without tradition, art is a flock of sheep without a shepherd. Without innovation, it is a corpse,” spoken by Winston Churchill states how essential tradition has been regarded throughout history (Notable Quotes 11). An example of how essential tradition was in society can be seen the document The Charter of Homage and Fealty. The document was written in 1110 by Bernard of Atton, addressed to Lord Abbot Leo pledging to become his vassal (Halsall para 1). A vassal pledging themselves to a lord and the lord’s land was a tradition in feudalism. Feudalism has a hierarchy of kings at the top, then the lords fall under the kings, the knights work for the lords, and the vassals work under the knights and lords (McKay et al. 393). Under feudalism

However, during this time, vassals were paying homage to multiple lords, therefore, their loyalty was divided and this created a threat to society. Bernard of Atton explained how feudalism did not work because lords had more land than the king and many lords were vassals themselves while they had vassals (Halsall para 2). The system of vassal loyalties became more complex along with the hierarchy system and since loyalty was essential to society it became punishable if loyalties were broken. Bernard of Atton argued that if loyalty is established through homage and fealty to one ruler it would reinforce order so the feudal system could be upheld which would allow for society to thrive politically and economically. The feudal society was built on a foundation of loyalty throughout the

Through these traditions the lords provided safety to their vassals and the vassals provided their services to benefit their lord’s society (393). This presentation of tradition created a precedent not only for the mutual obligations among the lord and vassal, but also visually displayed the loyalty to the public, so all could see and hear the power of tradition, actions, and words, which is what Bernard of Atton argued for in the Charter (Halsall para