The European Middle Ages are roughly defined as the time period from around 500 to 1500 CE. Europe was a collection of states ruled by hereditary oligarchies, kings, counts, lords and such. The ruling families owned the lands. Peasants mostly lived in villages while serfs and slaves lived on the farms. The manorial system declined, and serfdom with it, as economies became more advanced.
The UK saw the abolition of serfdom around 1570. The French Revolution marked the end of the practice in Western Europe although the practice in France itself had ended in the 15th Century. Serfdom ended in Germany in 1830 and Russia in 1861.
The religion taught to these people in Western Europe was Catholicism. The priests came from wealthy and titled families. Most of the peasants could not read, and particularly not Latin. There life was one of strict discipline, enforced by the ruling class. Accusations of sexual impropriety, homosexuality, witchcraft, being a Jew or Muslim could get one executed in a horrific manner. Horrific torture was used to extract “confessions.”
The royalty of these societies were not so encumbered. They engaged in scandalous affairs and behavior with impunity. Ferdinand II of Aragon was the instigator of the Spanish Inquisition (1478 to 1834). He demanded there be an inquisition to ferret out Jews and Muslims who kept their practices in private but appeared as Catholics while in public view. Political rivals and persons who’s wealth could be confiscated were also targeted. Ferdinand II wanted control to select which bishops would run the inquisition.
Ferdinand II had at least 5 illegitimate children outside his two marriages. He had his daughter Juana de Castile declared insane and locked away for 50 years. This allowed him to keep control of the crown and possibly prevented any stories she told about her father from being believed.
Pope Julius III born Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte to a jurist ( judge). He was known for his interest in pleasure and indulgence. He adopted a young ( between 14 and 17 ) son of a beggar woman with an unknown father named Innocenzo Ciocchi del Monte. He made del Monte Cardinal-Nephew, a position used to fill the Vatican with related individuals and develop a power base. Rumors abounded about the relationship between the two. Friends and foe commented frequently.
The Pope’s political enemies likewise made capital of the scandal. In Italy, it was said that Julius showed the impatience of a “lover awaiting a mistress” while awaiting Innocenzo’s arrival in Rome and boasted of the boy’s prowess in bed, while the Venetian ambassador reported that Innocenzo Del Monte shared the pope’s bed “as if he [Innocenzo] were his [Julius’] own son or grandson.” “The charitably-disposed told themselves the boy might after all be simply his bastard son.” Wikipedia
After the death of Julius III, Innocenzo committed two murders and two rapes. He didn’t serve time for the crimes but died in obscurity.
The difference in lifestyle and, more importantly, belief systems of the royal caste and the peasants and serfs is marked. Particularly in the form of morality. The former group were free to do as they chose as long as it wasn’t too obvious. They could always lie to cover up activities that might raise an eyebrow. The latter was a group of downtrodden people who’s lives were engaged in hard labor and who’s actions were under constant scrutiny. Accusations of immorality, true or not, could cost them their life.
The lives of these serfs, reincarnating repeatedly as virtual slaves for centuries should be considered. Their giant sorcerer overlords had created a system of control mostly through religious interpretation. The power of life and death over their slave force could be hidden behind a charade of piousness. All the overlords had to do was keep their guys in royal families and keep a hidden religion allowing them protection for each childhood.
Related; The Strange Battle for Castle Itter
Genesis 12:5 And Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had acquired, and the souls they had acquired in Haran, and they went to go to the land of Canaan, and they came to the land of Canaan
Hermann von Boyen (20 June 1771 – 15 February 1848) was a Prussian military officer who fought in many wars and battles. He retied for 21 years and studied history. He was called back into active service by King Frederick William IV in 1841 appointing him War Minister. He received the rank of Field Marshall in 1847. A fortress in Lotzen was named after him.
Phillipe Petain (24 April 1856 – 23 July 1951) was a hero of France for his command of the French 2nd Army during the battle of Verdun. He served as Marshal of the French military during the interwar period. After the Fall of France in 1940 he became the head of the Vichy French government and was tried and convicted of treason after WWII. His sentence was commuted in June 1951 and he died about a month later.
It’s easier to get an opponent nation to surrender when it’s leaders work for you. See Case Study 56