Medieval Feudalism

By: Carl Stephenson

Narrated by: Charlton Griffin

Length: 2 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Medieval feudalism is one of those subjects that most of us are familiar with, and yet have difficulty describing. Was is a political, military, economic, or social system? And how did it develop? All these questions are answered in this superb book. Carl Stephenson has done a magnificent job of paring away all extraneous subjects and focusing on just the key elements. This short book, a masterpiece of brevity, succinctly sums up medieval feudalism better than anything ever written.

Medieval feudalism was essentially a means of paying retainers in land, rather than money. With the collapse of the Roman Empire and the disappearance of coinage, the only medium of exchange left was land and its produce. Thus, the barbarian German rulers of France sought some means of retaining able-bodied soldiery and companions at court.

What evolved was a process of infeudiation - essentially an exchange of land for military service. The entire concept of vassalage, liege lord, and knighthood came about in France in the early Middle Ages, though many of its more advanced forms did not evolve until much later.

This is an important book for any history buff who has the least interest in the Middle Ages.

©2007 Audio Connoisseur (P)2007 Audio Connoisseur

Good general outline

A solid outline of the economic structure (and conditions) that gave birth to feudalism, and how an evolution of those economic conditions effectively ended feudalism. Also describes in detail the institution of vassalage.

This short book is excellent for someone wanting to learn the fundamental, institutional mechanics that governed the Feudal age.

Not an introduction to feudalism

What disappointed you about Medieval Feudalism?

the language was very academic and the narration was hard to pick up on words you didn't know. Vassal, Fife sounded like vessel and thief. The latter chapters were a little better once I went and did some research on feudalism and was able to follow along a little better.

Would you ever listen to anything by Carl Stephenson again?

probably not

What didn’t you like about Charlton Griffin’s performance?

the reading was dry

What character would you cut from Medieval Feudalism?

there were no characters

Any additional comments?

skip this one unless you really know what you are getting into, and if that's the case you should probably just read the book.

Medieval Feudalism

Very learned and authoritative, but unfortunately dry treatment of the subject... read in a harsh, monotonous voice. It was the only thing in my iPod on the 5 k. hike to the dentist's
and it came as a relief to be sitting in that chair...the sound of the drill almost soothing...