Family, followers and friends : the socio-political dynamics of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, 1100-1204
Three groups are examined: the family, followers and friends. The structure,functions and tensions of these groups are described and their dynamics analysed in the fields of decision making and conflict resolution. The approach offers a dialectic between Latin and French sources, historical and literary, and social science theories. This opens up new avenues for analysis and allows a holistic description of medieval politics and society. The family comprised parents and their children. Within this small unit affection was very strong; outside, it quickly declined. Although uncles and nephews had political links there was considerably less emotional attachment between them than between parent-child and sibling relationships. Three types of follower are examined: household retainers, enfeoffed tenants and 'neighbours'. Household knights had the strongest emotional bonds to their lord and were seen as the most loyal. Tenants who performed homage were called 'men'; 'vassal' is shown to mean 'good follower'. An aristocrat exercised considerable control within his lands and beyond them he maintained some power. In these areas people may have obeyed his will without having any direct link with him. Such people were
Meddings, John P.
History
Family, followers and friends : the socio-political dynamics of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, 1100-1204. Three groups are examined: the family, followers and friends. The structure,functions and tensions of these groups are described and their dynamics analysed in the fields of decision making and conflict resolution. The approach offers a dialectic between Latin and French sources, historical and literary, and social science theories. This opens up new avenues for analysis and allows a holistic description of medieval politics and society. The family comprised parents and their children. Within this small unit affection was very strong; outside, it quickly declined. Although uncles and nephews had political links there was considerably less emotional attachment between them than between parent-child and sibling relationships. Three types of follower are examined: household retainers, enfeoffed tenants and 'neighbours'. Household knights had the strongest emotional bonds to their lord and were seen as the most loyal. Tenants who performed homage were called 'men'; 'vassal' is shown to mean 'good follower'. An aristocrat exercised considerable control within his lands and beyond them he maintained some power. In these areas people may have obeyed his will without having any direct link with him. Such people were
family follower friend socio_political dynamic anglo_norman aristocracy three_group examine family follower friend structure function tension group describe dynamic analysed field decision_make conflict resolution offer dialectic latin french source historical_literary social_science theory open_new avenue analysis allow holistic description medieval politics society family comprise parent_child within small_unit affection strong outside quickly decline although nephew political link considerably less emotional attachment parent_child sibling relationship three_type follower examine household tenant neighbours household knight strong emotional bond lord see loyal perform call men show mean good follower aristocrat exercise considerable control within land beyond power area people may obey without direct link him people