As a system of local industry, feudalism could not survive
the great changes of the later Middle Ages, when reviving trade, commerce, and
manufactures had begun to lead to the increase of wealth, the growth of
markets, and the substitution of money payments for those in produce or
services. Flourishing cities arose, as in the days of the Roman Empire, freed
themselves from the control of the nobles, and became the homes of liberty and
democracy. The cities, like the kings, were always anti- feudal. We shall deal
with their development in a subsequent chapter (Chapter XXIII).
THE CHURCH AND FEUDALISM
There was still another anti-feudal force, namely, the
Roman Church. It is true that many of the higher clergy were feudal lords, and
that even the monasteries owned vast estates which were parceled out among
tenants. Nevertheless, the Roman Church as a universal organization, including
men of all ranks and classes, was necessarily opposed to feudalism, a local and
an aristocratic system. The work and influence of this Church will now engage
our attention.
