The retainers of the nobility were men who served powerful lords and shared in their military life. Because many of them were of similar birth to ordinary people, one might expect them to feel sympathy for the suffering of the poor. However, this was rarely the case. Instead of helping the people, they often became part of the system of oppression. They enjoyed the rewards of plunder and the benefits of violence, and these rewards made them less concerned about justice or compassion Private Bulgaria Holidays.
Even when they held low positions in the feudal service, the simple fact that they carried arms gave them a sense of superiority. They could act harshly toward peaceful citizens and peasants, knowing that their feudal lord would protect them from punishment. This protection encouraged abuse of power and injustice. As a result, the common people were oppressed not only by great nobles but also by their followers and soldiers, who used their position to dominate weaker members of society.
The Silence of the Oppressed Masses
It may seem surprising that, during such long periods of suffering, the masses did not often rise up boldly against their oppressors. There were no widespread heroes who openly fought for freedom in the way later legends describe figures such as Tell or Virginius. The main reason for this lack of resistance was the deep ignorance of the age. Most people had little education and limited access to knowledge. Without knowledge, it was difficult for them to organize, to understand their rights, or to challenge authority.
Ignorance made people accept their condition as natural and unchangeable. They were taught to obey and to fear both earthly and spiritual punishments. Because of this, even severe suffering did not easily lead to rebellion. Instead, many endured injustice quietly, believing that resistance was either impossible or sinful Reflection and the Weakening of Authority.
Knowledge as the Key to Liberty
Knowledge has always been one of the greatest sources of freedom. When people learn and think, they begin to question authority and injustice. Rulers in despotic systems understood this very well. They knew that if education spread widely among the population, their absolute control would weaken. For this reason, it was often in their interest to keep the people uneducated and uninformed.
Those in power understood that ignorance helped maintain control. They believed that the “chains” placed upon the people would break if knowledge reached them. Education gives strength, confidence, and the ability to reason. If the majority of the population gained access to knowledge, no oppressive system could easily survive its influence.
Methods Used to Preserve Ignorance
To protect their power, feudal lords increased their military strength. They relied on horses, heavy armour, strong castles, and advanced weapons—tools that the common people did not possess or understand. This military superiority created a large gap between rulers and subjects, making resistance even more difficult. The ordinary people, who were unfamiliar with warfare and military organization, could not easily challenge such well-equipped forces.
At the same time, the clergy strengthened their authority by promoting the idea of their own holiness and spiritual power. They taught the people that their eternal happiness depended entirely on obedience to the church. Many were led to believe that the clergy held the keys to heaven, purgatory, and hell. This belief increased fear and obedience among the population, making them less likely to question religious or political authority.
Opposition to Learning and Science
Because knowledge threatened established power, there was often open hostility toward learning. Education and science were sometimes described as dangerous or even sinful. New ideas were accused of being forms of sorcery or heresy. People who tried to spread knowledge or enlightenment could be punished or silenced. This created a culture in which intellectual progress was discouraged.
Such opposition to learning slowed the development of society. Instead of encouraging education, many institutions worked to limit it. This deliberate resistance to knowledge helped maintain control over the people but also kept society in a state of backwardness. Nevertheless, even small amounts of knowledge slowly began to spread, and this gradual growth would eventually play an important role in weakening ignorance and promoting freedom in later centuries.
