Hierarchy and its importance in medieval times?

Question

I am writing a report on medieval times and have gotten to the part of the hierarchy and its importance to medieval times, any help would be very well received, thanks in advance!

Zara

Answer 1

It's a very broad question - you may like to specify important to whom, in which country, at which part of mediaeval times etc.

For example: how did the knight's position in the hierarchy of France affect his life?

Answer 2

The Medieval Political System was predicated on social Hierarchy. Money, opportunity, advancement, power; were accessible, but only if you came from the top of the hierarchy.

Hierarchy at the time was absolute, and you were what you were born. There was no possibility of Social Mobility, because there was no widespread access to education except through the Church.

The vast majority of people who would need their Lord's permission to leave the village, so there was no prospect of Geographical mobility either. Your Lord had a Lord, who had a Lord, etc. ending up at the King, anointed by the Church as God's rightful intended temporal authority on Earth.

There was a Great Chain of Being (a hierarchy) with God at the top, then Angels, down through Kings, Nobles, Artisans, Surfs, dogs, and pond scum. Anything that broke the chain of being would cause the whole of chain to fail.

The Church reinforced the Hierarchy, which reinforced the Church. Everyone who went to church (the fine for non-attendance was greater than a labourer's wage for a week), got indoctrinated every week.

Answer 3

Go to wikipedia or google it.