Feudal fragmentation

Feudal fragmentation^[1] is a process whereby a feudal state is split into smaller regional state structures, each characterized by significant autonomy, if not outright independence, and ruled by a high-ranking noble such as a prince or a duke.^[2]^[3] Feudal fragmentation is usually associated with European history, particularly during the Middle Ages.^[4]^[5]

Feudal fragmentation occurs after the death of the legitimate ruler leaves no clear heirs, and rulers of various subdivisions of the original state fail at electing or agreeing on a new leader for the previous, larger entity. In some cases (for example, the Holy Roman Empire), such a leader may be elected, yet wield much lesser powers than those of his predecessor. Feudal fragmentation is related to the concepts of agnatic seniority and principate.^[3]

^ Piotr Górecki (2007). A local society in transition: the Henryków book and related documents. PIMS. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-88844-155-3.
^ (in Polish) Rozbicie dzielnicowe Archived 29 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine. WIEM Encyklopedia.
^ ^a ^b (in Polish) rozbicie dzielnicowe. PWN Encyklopedia.
^ Cite error: The named reference FrankGills1996 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Grzymala-Busse, Anna (2023). "Tilly Goes to Church: The Religious and Medieval Roots of European State Fragmentation". American Political Science Review: 1–20. doi:10.1017/S0003055423000278.

[Górecki2007-1] Piotr Górecki (2007). A local society in transition: the Henryków book and related documents. PIMS. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-88844-155-3.

[WIEM-2] (in Polish) Rozbicie dzielnicowe Archived 29 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine. WIEM Encyklopedia.

[PWN-3] (in Polish) rozbicie dzielnicowe. PWN Encyklopedia.

[FrankGills1996-4] Cite error: The named reference FrankGills1996 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[5] Grzymala-Busse, Anna (2023). "Tilly Goes to Church: The Religious and Medieval Roots of European State Fragmentation". American Political Science Review: 1–20. doi:10.1017/S0003055423000278.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]