The tenth century
THE POLITICAL SHAPE AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS of Europe underwent substantial changes during the tenth century. The Carolingian dynasty was replaced in France by Capetians. But land over which they reigned had seen power decentralised to such an extent that rulers provinces exercised as much real king, and Normandy, Anjou Flanders particular were effectively independent powers, following their own domestic foreign policy agendas. Below level these local princes, powerful families fought feuded schemed increase powers. In every case, control fortifications be a central element political equation. large no longer walled civitates have been familiar throughout story so far, but newer, smaller fortresses, combining number functions : castles made appearance. Alongside them, social system known feudalism took root shaped continent for hundreds years.