Feudal fragmentation [ 1] 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] European history , particularly during theMiddle 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, theHoly 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 ofagnatic seniority andprincipate .[ 3]
Division of the Polish state in 1138: Seniorate Province.
Pomeranian vassals under the rule of the Seniorate Province.
Sandomierz Province of
Henry .
This phenomenon has occurred in the history of several countries and regions:
In thehistory of England , theHeptarchy In thehistory of Poland , the regionalization[ 6] fragmentation of Poland (Polish :rozbicie dzielnicowe ) refers to the period following thetestament of Bolesław III Wrymouth (1138) that led to the split of theKingdom of Poland into several mostly independent provinces, unified only byLadislaus the Short approximately two centuries later, in the early 14th century[ 2] [ 3] [ 7] In thehistory of Belarus ,Russia andUkraine , the period of fragmentation (Russian :феодальная раздробленность ) that started from around the 12th century during the decline ofKievan Rus' . In Russia, it lasted up until the reign ofIvan IV of Russia ;[ 3] [ 8] [ 9] Vladimir of Staritsa [ 10] In thehistory of Bulgaria , the late 14th century fragmentation of theSecond Bulgarian Empire [ 11] [ 12] In thehistory of Hungary , theinterregnum (1301–1323),Oligarchs In thehistory of Serbia , thefall of the Serbian Empire (1371–95) In thehistory of Georgia , thecollapse of the Georgian realm (starting in the 13th century) In thehistory of Germany , the period described asKleinstaaterei Hohenstaufen dynasty and the rise of theHoly Roman Empire ) to 1871 (theunification of the German states into theGerman Empire )[ 3] [ 13] [ 14] [ 15] Ernestine duchies remained divided until the formation of theState of Thuringia in 1920. After the extinction of theDuchy of Burgundy , some of its territory was absorbed by France'sLouis XI , while its territory in theLow Countries (theBurgundian Netherlands ) became theHabsburg Netherlands (also called theSeventeen Provinces ), which itself splintered into theSpanish Netherlands and theDutch Republic [ 16] In thehistory of France , the period after the fall of theCarolingian dynasty and death ofCharlemagne to its unification byLouis XI [ 17] [ 18] [ 19] Crown lands of France ) In thehistory of Italy , the period from theinvasion of Italy by the Lombards (which occurred shortly after Italy was united under theByzantine Empire as a result of theGothic War ) untilItalian unification [ 20] According toSamir Amin , feudal fragmentation has been mostly a European phenomenon and did not occur in thehistory of China orIslamic Middle Eastern states .[ 4] [ 21] Warring States period )[ 22] history of Japan (theSengoku period ).[ 23] [ 24] [ 25]
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