Feudal Society: The Three Estates & Feudal Economy

Feudal Society

1. The Three Estates

Feudal society was organized into three distinct social groups, known as the Three Estates. These groups were largely closed, making it difficult for individuals to change their social status.

Nobles: Bellatores

Nobility was determined by birth, and knights dedicated their lives to warfare. The nobility was further divided into two categories:

• High Nobility: This group held significant power and influence, shaping the decisions of the kingdom.
• Low and Middle Nobility: This group consisted of knights and lords with fewer possessions compared to the high nobility.

Nobles resided in castles and had the authority to assemble their own armies.

Feudal Castles

Castles served as residences for lords, their families, knights, and serfs. Strategically positioned on highlands, castles provided control over the surrounding territory. Fortified with walls, towers, and bridges, castles offered protection and restricted access.

Clergy: Oratores

Members of the clergy dedicated themselves to serving God through prayer. They received taxes to support priests and maintain churches. The clergy held considerable social influence and were divided into:

1. Regular Clergy: This group included monastic orders residing in monasteries and convents, led by abbots and abbesses. Monks and nuns were also part of the regular clergy.
2. Secular Clergy: This group consisted of clergy members who did not live in monasteries, such as priests and bishops.
3. Higher Clergy: Abbots and bishops, often from noble families, belonged to this group.
4. Lower Clergy: This group comprised priests serving rural parishes and monks from humble backgrounds.

3rd Estate: Laboratores

The laborers, or commoners, lacked privileges and supported the other two estates through their labor and taxes. Agriculture and livestock were their primary economic activities.

• Peasants: The majority of the 3rd Estate were peasants. While most were bound to the land, a small minority were free peasants who owned their land.
• Craftsmen: Besides peasants, craftsmen also constituted a part of the 3rd Estate.

Life for the laborers was often challenging, with famine being a recurring threat.

Feudal Economy

The feudal economy revolved around farming and livestock. Rudimentary agricultural techniques were prevalent, although some technological advancements emerged in the 11th century.

• Three-Year Rotation System: This system involved alternating grain and legume crops with periods of fallow to restore soil fertility.

The feudal landscape featured castles, hamlets, churches, mills, bridges, and cultivated fields.