Generalizing much?
| Posted On: 06/24/09 12:42:08 AM |
Age 44, OR |
You said:
"In Medieval Europe no one voted except the kings."
I have to put my two pence in here, because I'm a medievalist. And you're not only over generalizing, you're wrong.
The first and most obvious example is the British Parliament, a body that has been in existence since the 13th century. An even before that, in Anglo-Saxon England there was the _Witangemot_, a representative body that advised the king. (And if you think the medieval Parliament had no power, read up on the 'Merciless Parliament' during the reign of Richard II.)
Scandanavia, particularly Iceland, is well-known for their democratic activities during the Middle Ages. Take a quick look at the Saga of Egil Skallagrimson for examples of voting and direct government.
The City-States of Medieval Italy were ruled by councils, some of which were elected (usually by members of the leading families).
Fairly late in the medieval period, the Holy Roman Emperor was chosen by a group of nobles known as the Electors, rather than by inheritance. Also during this time, Poland had a council called the _Seym_, which elected their King.
The Middle Ages was nowhere near as simple or simplistic as we might hold in our modern view. It might be worth a bit more study.
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