Feudalism in the Colonial Past

In the medieval feudal hierarchy, the King's power was supreme, with traveling justices playing a crucial role in collecting taxes, imposing levies, and administering royal justice. This concentration of authority, however, left the barons feeling significantly marginalized, primarily as King John's reign saw a series of heavy-handed decisions and military failures. Their frustration with the King's uncontrolled power led to a historic confrontation, culminating in the Magna Carta of 1215. This document aimed to control the queen's authority and secure the rights of the barons and other subjects, marking a significant moment in the development of governance.


The Fall of Feudalism: The fall of feudalism in Britain was not the outcome of a single occasion but rather a complex interplay of political, financial, and social modifications.  One of the most considerable factors was the centralization of royal power, as kings began to assert more direct control over their territories, decreasing the influence of feudal lords. The Black Death of the 14th century even more accelerated this decline by annihilating the population, resulting in labor shortages and offering peasants higher bargaining power. As towns and trade started to flourish, the old feudal commitments eroded, and a brand-new social order emerged where wealth was increasingly determined by commerce rather than land ownership. These modifications marked the beginning of completion of Feudalism, paving the way for the contemporary nation-state. Explore how these changes in Britain's feudal system resonated across the Atlantic in the colonies.


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

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how feudal mentally impact the Caribbean