Evolution of Medieval Representative Assemblies: From Feudal Governance to Political Dialogue
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Feudal governance, vassal council, medieval sovereigns, representative assemblies, consent of people, parliamentarization, Europe, taxation, political dialogue, medieval assemblies, common good, rule of law, Gaines Post, Michel Hébert, Lydwin Scordia, National Assembly, medieval sources, political debates, institutionalization of powers
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Abstract
Medieval representative assemblies played a crucial role in shaping the governance of European kingdoms from the 9th century onwards. Initially, these assemblies served as spaces for the approval of the sovereign's policies by the people they governed. Over time, they evolved into instruments of political dialogue between rulers and subjects, gradually institutionalizing power sharing and parliamentarization. Characterized by the search for consensus and confrontation, these assemblies brought together individuals and groups representing various social classes to discuss and negotiate on matters related to the common good. As they developed, they demanded freedoms, franchises, and fair justice, laying the groundwork for the precursors of modern power-sharing systems, such as parliamentary assemblies. By examining the evolution of these medieval assemblies, we gain insight into the development of governance and the role of consent in reinforcing political approval.
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[...] The medieval representative assemblies, spaces of search for consensus then political dialogue ? A. A variety of instances dedicated to the approval of the rulers From the late 9th century, medieval assemblies are considered as places of discussion, consultation and information3. In the case of general pleas, the emperor submitted articles dedicated to knowing the comments and opinions of citizens before these articles were definitively promulgated. It is then the breakdown of the kingdoms, the fragmentation of powers and the privatization of justice that characterizes the feudal revolution, which will come to modify the model of Carolingian pleas4. [...]
[...] (2014) Michel Hébert, Parlementer. Representative Assemblies and Political Exchanges in Western Europe at the End of the Middle Ages. Cahiers de recherches médiévales et humanistes. [...]
[...] This value will henceforth permeate the representative assemblies formed by the various social classes on different subjects and will gradually require the sovereign de facto to request the consent of the people. B. The consent as reinforcement of political approval Michel Hébert analyzes in his work how consent became a central value in the governance of these assemblies. An expression will be retained to speak of this consent that will develop at the political-juridical level and in the constitutional texts of these assemblies: 'Quod omnes tangit ab omnibus tractari et appro-bari debet (which we are accustomed to abbreviate today as Q.o.t.) which means 'what concerns all must be discussed and approved by all'. [...]
[...] Gaines Post also analyzes that medieval assemblies resemble closely what one could call a trial:the prince finds himself in a position to justify his demands in the face of the participants, and even to defend his cause, in a certain way. From then on, it is possible to say that a true dialogue between the prince and his subjects is institutionalized over time, aiming to establish a dialogue that becomes progressively horizontal and no longer vertical. Constituting from then on, an indispensable instrument of power for the one who governs. [...]
[...] Characterized by an evolution of feudal governance between vassal council and consent of the people A. The evolution of feudal governance marked by the importance of the vassal council Michel Hébert shows that the government of medieval sovereigns and therefore the dialogue in assemblies has gradually structured itself around the search for advice by the sovereign. In fact, he demonstrates that from the end of the 11th century, we find in many historical sources the need to resort to the council of vassals. [...]
