The Three Orders: Snippets From the Chapter
Due to socio-economic and political changes, Western Europe society was divided into three orders between the ninth and sixteenth centuries. After the fall of the Roman Empire, many groups of Germanic People occupied the regions of Italy, Spain and France.
The three orders are three social categories: Christian priests, landowning nobles and peasants.The term ‘feudalism’ has been used by historians to describe the economic, legal, political and social relationships that existed in Europe in the medieval era.
Order | Members | Characteristics |
---|---|---|
First Order | Priests | – Members: The Clergy – Affiliation: The Catholic Church – Influence: Europe guided by bishops and clerics – Location: Pope lived in Rome – Gender Roles: Women could not become priests – Additional Members: Monks – played roles in both church and society |
Second Order | Nobles | – Members: Vassals of the king – Status: Enjoyed a privileged status – Property Control: Absolute control over property – Military Power: Could raise troops – Monetary Authority: Could even coin his own money |
Third Order | Peasants | – Members: Free peasants and serfs – Occupation: Serfs cultivated plots of land – Property Ownership: Plots belonged to the lord |
The Three Orders Class 11 History Notes
During the 9th to 16th centuries, after the Roman Empire declined, Europe faced challenges like political disunity and conflict. German tribes often fought each other for control of land. To restore peace and organize society, Europeans created the Three Orders system. Over time, adjustments were made to better meet the needs of society.
The book “Feudal Society and the Idea” by Marc Bloch provides further insight into European society during this period. In this article, you will find all the important notes related to the Class 11 Chapter, “The Three Orders”, specially curated by a team of experts at w3wiki.
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