Roman patronage Feudalism in the Holy Roman Empire

in late antiquity, out of roman system of patronage (or clientage) , clan (sippe) relationships of migration period (völkerwanderungszeit) (germanic kingdoms on roman soil), relations between rulers , subjects developed prevailing consensus commonplace , accepted.

in roman culture, common patron (a wealthy roman citizen) automatically retain freed slaves in dependent relationship, known patronage. required client accompany patron war , protect him if latter wished, accompany him court vocal supporter and, if patron held public office, act assistant , accompany him on representational events in public.

in return, patron had ensure legal , practical support of client in aspects of life. roman citizen, non-roman , entire tribes in roman empire have patron-client relationship.

in late antiquity, form of relationship increasingly adopted in rural areas, because roman nomenklatura increasingly saw vast estates (latifundia) refuge , economically important pillars, on had own jurisdiction , fortified prisons.

clients @ time bound patrons through allocation of land.