Explain how feudal monarchs were able to exert power and control over peasants. (1 point)
• Peasants received tithes in return for working the lords' land
Their agreement allowed peasants to avoid working on Catholic Church lands.
• Peasants needed protection and land, which the lords provided.
• Their agreement allowed peasants to fish and hunt on the manor.
Feudal monarchs were able to exert power and control over peasants through various mechanisms:
1) Landownership: Feudal monarchs owned vast amounts of land, which they granted to their loyal lords. These lords, in turn, granted portions of their land to peasants in exchange for labor and other services. This system, known as the feudal system, allowed monarchs to maintain control over the peasants by controlling their access to land. Peasants needed land to farm and sustain themselves, so they relied on the lords for this vital resource.
2) Protection: In medieval times, warfare and violence were prevalent. Peasants, who were mostly untrained in combat, needed protection from external threats like invading armies or bandits. Feudal monarchs provided this protection by maintaining a military force and enforcing law and order in their territories. In return, peasants owed military service to their lords and were obligated to fight for the monarch if needed.
3) Economic control: Feudal monarchs also had control over the economic aspect of peasants' lives. They often imposed various taxes, known as tithes, on the peasants' agricultural produce or other forms of income. This allowed monarchs to extract resources from the peasants, thereby exerting economic control and ensuring their dependence on the ruling authority.
4) Social and cultural influence: Feudal monarchs held significant social and cultural influence in society. They were often regarded as divinely appointed rulers, with their power and authority believed to come from God. This religious narrative helped in ensuring the loyalty and obedience of the peasants, who deeply valued their faith and believed in the divine right of kings. Monarchs used this perception to legitimize their rule and maintain control over the peasants.
Overall, feudal monarchs were able to exert power and control over peasants by controlling their access to land, providing protection, imposing economic obligations, and utilizing social and cultural influence.