Feudalism

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Needs to be rewritten to reflect ASOIAF world, see Concordance and fr:Société féodale des Sept Couronnes for reference.


Feudalism describes the society structure of the Seven Kingdoms, as it is largely resembles the feudal system of medieval Europe.

Feudalism was introduced to Westeros by the Andal traditions[citation needed] 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.

Social hierarchy

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 knights bestow the rank and title of Knighthood on any individual who has proven himself worthy.

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.

Nobility

In Westeros's system of nobility, above knights there are only lords, some greater and some lesser, some sworn to others, but still all with the same title; the exception is the Lord of Sunspear, who still holds the title "Prince of Dorne". Nobility is a hereditary title, expressed through the bonds of vassalage which connect between them the various owners of strongholds. Each lord has vassals; sometimes vassals have vassals.

The lords of the great houses have the highest ranks in their regions of the seven kingdoms, second only to the king. Petty lords at the bottom only govern a few villages. It is the Lord's responsibility to see to the affairs of 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 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", 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—the Prince of Dorne has no more authority than other great lords—but demonstrate a house's history.

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.[1]

  • 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.

Knights

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.[2]

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.

Commoners

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 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

  • Warden, 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 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".

Reference

  1. Heavily based on Real life, medieval Feudal system, Knighthood and Customs entry at the Concordance.
  1. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
  2. So Spake Martin: Knights and Lords (March 02, 2002)