The Structure of Feudalism

[tabs title=”” width=700  height =400  hwidth=50  speed=200  active=1 autoheight=false] [tab title=”overview”] 111/ seven powerful women/John of Gaunt/1215 Victory agains the FranksKings, Dukes, Counts worked within a feudal system which had both strengths and weaknesses. Its strength was the simplicity of hierarchical governance. This however led to a lack of uniformity, each Comte and Baron was able to interpret the law and influence religious beliefs in the area in which they exerted control.They then became prepared to bargain and to take arms to protect on extend their independence.

[/tab] [tab title=”The Barony”]  The Baronial Unit There was a formula for all this which dictated the size of a Barony. A baron was entitled to raise an army of 12 Knights which enable control to be exerted over an area 16 miles square.The Barony was the basic unit of the Feudal System. There was a specific formula which dictated the size of a Barony, though minor changes could be made to cater for local geography. A Baron was entitled to raise an army of twelve knights which was considered to make it possible to control an area 16 miles square, (256 Square Miles).

[/tab] [tab title=”The Knights Ride Out”] The Knights ride forth Each day the nights would ride out to enforce the baron’s will and each night return to the security of the barons castle.Each day the knights would ride out to enforce the Baron’s will, assist the Church in administering the law and each night return to the security of the Barons castle.

[/tab] [tab title=”Changing Allegiances”] Changing allegencies The change in alignment might be simply because a better offer.It was possible for a Baron to shift allegiance from one count to another. Far more significantly  a Duke could shift allegiance to a different king. The Counts owing allegiance to the Duke would then have a difficult decision, to move with the duke or to break away and support the king who had been abandoned.

[/tab] [tab title=”Independence”] Ethnic Solidarity Depending on local alliances and often on intermarriage an independence movement could gather strength.It was also possible for several counts to band together and declare independence. Depending on local alliances and often on intermarriage an independence movement could gather strength.

[/tab] [tab title=”What is a nation”] Occitan dialects Without doubt Occitan was a candidate for nationhood. If people have a common language, share beliefs and culture; live in an area identifiable by significant natural boundaries and are willing to bond together for mutual defence, then they have the right to claim nationhood.  At the start of the twentieth century, in many parts of the world, this is still a problematic definition.  In the south west of Mainland Europe there was and still is such a people.  Over an enormous area, more than half of present day France, they spoke, and still speak, a different language than that spoken by the Franks. The whole area is still known by the generic title of Occitan.

[/tab] [tab title=”Papal Intervention”] A plea to the Pope Eventually a plea to the Pope could result in a new kingdom being recognised.  Eventually a plea to the Pope could result in a new kingdom being recognised. By the early 14th century Scotland and Aragon had both taken this route. Occitan had intended to follow in AD 1200, and did then switch allegiance  from the franks to Aragon, but the Lords and Counts were swept away by the Albigensian Crusade. Occitan’s problem was that its culture and beliefs were different from and unacceptable to the Church of Rome.

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111/ seven powerful women/John of Gaunt/1215 Victory agains the FranksKings, Dukes, Counts worked within a feudal system which had both strengths and weaknesses. Its strength was the simplicity of hierarchical governance. This however led to a lack of uniformity, each Comte and Baron was able to interpret the law and influence religious beliefs in the area in which they exerted control.They then became prepared to bargain and to take arms to protect on extend their independence. 

The Barony was the basic unit of the Feudal system. There was a specific formula which dictated the size of a Barony. A Baron was entitled to raise an army of twelve knights which it was considered enabled control to be exerted over an area 16 miles square.

Each day the knights would ride out to enforce the baron’s will and each night return to the security of the barons castle.

It was possible for a Baron to shift allegiance from one count to another. Far more significantly a Duke could shift allegiance to a different king. The counts owing allegiance to the duke would then have a difficult decision, to move with the duke or to break away and support the king who had been abandoned.

It was also possible for several counts to band together and declare independence. Depending on local alliances and often on intermarriage an independence movement could gather strength.

Without doubt Occitan was a candidate for nationhood. If people have a common language, share beliefs and culture; live in an area identifiable by significant natural boundaries and are willing to bond together for mutual defence, then they have the right to claim nationhood.  In the south west of Mainland Europe there was and still is such a people.  Over an enormous area, more than half of present day France, they spoke, and still speak, a different language than that spoken by the Franks. The whole area is still known by the generic title of Occitan.

Eventually a plea to the Pope could result in a new kingdom being recognised.By the early 14th century Scotland and Aragon had both taken this route. Occitan had intended to follow this route in AD 1200, and did then swear allegiance to Aragon, but the Lords and Counts were swept away by the Albigensian Crusade.

Occitan’s problem was that its culture and beliefs were different from and unacceptable to the Church of Rome.


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Extract from The Prisoner of Foix--Chapter 43 -The EntranceNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley-26th April 1355

 

'Looks like we are going to see a bit of excitement, John. The Captain tried to get an agreement from the Prince that if there is surf running across the channel to Arcachon we will turn back to Bordeaux, but the Prince would hear none of it. Instead, he has offered to provide insurance for all three ships. If they are damaged or sunk, the owners will be compensated and every sailor who makes the passage will be given a bounty payment. What none of this seems to take into account is that if we sink in rough, fast-flowing waters we might all drown.'

John raised his eyebrows. 'But that is what we are going to do?'

'Yes, despite the fact that surf running accross the entrance is not uncommon and the deep water channel moves continually. In the end, the Prince attacked their captains on their weakest point, their professional pride! He threw down the gauntlet. He offered to take the Sally first through the channel, and to take control during the passage.' He raised his brow. 'We are going into the Bay of Arcachon, come what may! '

Extract from The Eagle of Carcassone -- Chapter 24-- A Real GoddessNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley - 22 July 1355

An hour later John walked with Ximene close to the river along the valley below St Feriole. It was the very essence of a summer’s day. The sun was fierce but in the shadow of the trees, it was cool and fragrant. The trees and shrubs along the riverbank hid their progress, from the Château, from St Feriole.

Eventually they reached a point where John thought it was safe to emerge from cover. To his satisfaction the stream extended into a pool with a sandy beach, shaded by trees. Where the stream entered the pool there was a flat grassy area, almost circular. Behind this, the bulk of two mountain ridges provided a splendid backdrop. He looked around once more ‘Not just a good training ground but a great training ground. If the Greek heroes knew about this they might be tempted to join me, to train with me’

Ximene laughed out loud. He turned to look at her. She had removed her outer clothes and was wearing a white chemise, cut short so that it barely reached her knees. Around her waist, she wore a plaited leather belt, obviously fashioned from the multitude of leather straps to be found in the tackle room.

She ran her hands down over her breasts. ‘When you were unconscious I heard you muttering about gods and goddesses, so  I have decided that from now on, for you, I will be the goddess.’

The Prisoner of FoixVol 1 of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

Aquitaine, an English possession, is in crisis. It is under threat from neighbouring nations and internal dissension.

The Black Prince, King Edward III’s eldest son has been given the task of taking command in Aquitaine.

Suddenly there is an opportunity. Ximene Trencavel is the heiress to the lands of Occitan, to the east of Aquitaine: lands controlled by the Franks. Ximene wants independence, both for herself and for Occitan.

A union between Aquitaine and Occitan would be mutually beneficial. The Black Prince undertakes a secret journey to meet Ximene to negotiate a marriage contract. It is, however, a marriage neither of them really wants.

Meanwhile, the  Franks plot to murder Ximene to prevent ,not just the marriage, but any kind of union between England and Occitan.

The Eagle Of CarcassonneVol II of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

The loose alliance between Ximene Trencavel and the Black Prince is under threat.

The Prince invades Occitan, to show his support for Ximene but it becomes an invasion which creates more problems than it solves.

The Prince has fallen hopelessly in love with Joan of Kent and Joan is now determined to marry him and become the next Queen of England.

Joan is therefore  determined to convince Ximene that she should not marry the Prince.

Part of her strategy is to encourage Ximene’s relationship with John Stanley—one of the Princes bodyguards—not an easy task as both John and Ximene have doubts about their compatibility.

However, John is grievously injured in a battle and Ximene commits herself to nurse him back to health.