Tracing Hidden Feudalism in the Colonies

The Crown's authority reigned supreme in the hierarchical structure of middle ages feudal society. This power was boosted by taking a trip justices who gathered taxes, imposed levies, and extended the reach of royal justice. However, as the monarchy's grip tightened up, the barons grew significantly annoyed with a system that left them helpless. Under King John, their bitterness reached a boiling point as his overbearing rule and inefective military projects amplified tensions. The barons' pushback eventually resulted in the Magna Carta in 1215, a turning point targeted at suppressing the King's authority and securing their rights.


The origins of feudalism in Britain can be traced back to the Norman Conquest of 1066 when William the Conqueror presented a system that would form the country's social and political landscape for centuries. Feudalism was based on land distribution in exchange for military service and commitment. It produced a hierarchical structure where the King granted land to his most trusted nobles, who offered parcels to knights and vassals. The peasants worked the land in exchange for security at the base of this system. This system of shared commitments made sure that power and resources were concentrated in the hands of a few. At the same time, most of the population remained bound to the land and their lords.

With time, this rigid social order ended up being deeply entrenched in British society, influencing everything from governance to daily life. Explore how feudalism's decrease affected the advancement of modern Britain in the blog site.


Taken from the book "Rogues in Paradise", the Saga of Colonialism in the Caribbean. A True Story of Race, Class, and Culture of the survivors of slavery.

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