The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind Church and State: Politics and Religion in the Middle Ages
Apr 29, 2025
Discover how medieval governance was decentralized, contrasting sharply with today’s centralized systems. Explore feudalism's complex hierarchies and the reciprocal obligations among lords and serfs. Uncover the church's role in channeling noble violence, particularly through the crusades. Learn about the rise of urban independence and how towns provided refuge for serfs. Finally, delve into the precarious existence of Jews in medieval Europe, experiencing both protection and persecution amid shifting political dynamics.
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Decentralized Power Over Central Rule
- Medieval government was decentralized and patchy; authorities often lacked reach across regions.
- Feudal ties created mutual obligations rather than absolute sovereignty, producing many overlapping powers.
Serfs Fleeing To Towns
- Serfs sometimes ran away to towns and could build new lives if they escaped pursuit.
- Medieval authorities often lacked the infrastructure to consistently track or extradite fugitives across regions.
Feudalism As A Web Of Obligations
- Feudal relations were personal and contractual, with nobles owing protection upward and obligations downward.
- No single lord was fully sovereign because everyone answered to someone else or to God in theory.
