Henry Spelman And The ’New Discovery’ About The Feudalism Of England

It entered the Age of Erudition in Europe in the 17th century. The light of Modern Historiography passed through the airtight wall of the Medieval Historiography at last, and brought a glimmer of brilliancy. At the transition from the old to the new, there was still a strong complex of ’Love the Ancient’ in England, people regarded the common-law as the only and unique legal system of the country and convinced the consistency and independence of their history. Henry Spelman, the antiquarian of England, studied the ancient history in his remaining years, and discovered that the history of England is not continuous.Spelman knew that the various nations of Europe were similar, and their laws had a same origin. Based on this, he concluded the general characteristics of the European Feudal Society. Firstly, in a Feudal Society, a feud was perpetual and could only be inherited by the eldest son of a vassal. Secondly, there was a close and stable relationship between lords and vassals.Based on this understanding, after a comparative study, Spelman found that since the Conquest, there had been perpetual feuds which could be inherited by the eldest son. Subsequently, there had been a variety of feudal servitudes which lords imposed on their vassals. All this didn’t exist in the former Saxon society. Thus he put forward creatively that since the Conquest, England gradually got rid of the rule of common-law and then changed into a feudal society.In Feudal Society of England, the king, who was the most supreme lord, discussed important things in councils of feud. His tenant in capite must attend for their feudal duties. This was the original form of parliaments and the House of Lords was composed by those people. With the development of history, some people who didn’t hold the king in capite began to attend councils, then they became the members of the House of Commons. Spelman suggested that the attendance of commons meant that the Feudalism of England had come to an end.Finally Spelman’s theory of Feudalism was inherited and developed. It not only became the weapon of politic struggles, but also impacted the innate minds of English people. Spelman had an advanced view of history and a keen insight. He could always keep a careful attitude. So we should recognized his achievements and regard him as a true historian.