Why was feudalism started?
Good question and one that has many implications on our world today. It is generally thought that feudalism began after the fall of Rome, but they would be wrong. Feudalism in its infancy, began as a result of Rome’s 50 years of Chaos (235 – 285 CE). After Diocletian took the reigns of the Empire he inherited an ugly economy. Inflation had run out of control while salaries remained stagnant. The cities were beginning to break down and the rich moved to the “suburbs”. The urbanites left over had a hard time feeding themselves and keeping themselves sheltered. They in turn took to the suburbs and the land owners gladly employed them to work the land while they reaped the benefits of the economic boom that was happening under Diocletian, Constantine, and Julian. Now when Rome falls, serfdom was well on its way, along with the infrastructure perfect for a system like feudalism. The strongest landowners would barter deals with other smaller landowner’s for protection against marauding group
