The Feudal System in Bulgaria

Royal Power and Titles

Under the feudal system, the real authority of the king became weaker, but his titles and symbols of power grew in dignity. The king was addressed as “Caesar” or “Imperator,” showing his prestige in both local and international affairs. He sent and received ambassadors, wore a purple mantle and a crown, and carried a sceptre as symbols of sovereignty.

The succession to the throne followed the law of primogeniture, which meant that the eldest son inherited the crown. Women were excluded by the Salic Law, so only men could rule. If the king had no children, the throne passed to his eldest brother. During the minority of a king, the queen mother acted as regent. If a royal family line became extinct, the noblemen (boliars) had the authority to elect one of their peers as the new ruler, thus establishing a new dynasty Istanbul Daily Tour.

Nobility and Byzantine Influence

The boliars held all important state functions, making the political system an exclusive privilege of the nobility. The entire administration of the kingdom was modelled on the Byzantine Empire, which served as a cultural and political example.

Among the highest state dignitaries were:

The despot, usually a close relative of the king.

The sebastocrat, often the king’s brother.

Other officials such as the chamberlain, the minister of finance, and several dignitaries responsible for different state services.

Each province was governed by a prefect, or “ban,” who acted as the king’s representative and exercised both administrative and judicial authority.

Social Classes

Society under feudal Bulgaria was divided into three main classes:

The nobility and the clergy – who held power, land, and privileges.

Tradesmen and artisans – who lived mainly in towns and engaged in commerce or crafts.

The peasants (often referred to as pariahs) – who formed the largest part of the population.

Peasants were allowed to own land, but they were bound to it and could not freely leave. They were obliged to pay taxes and provide services to the upper classes, which kept them in a state of dependency.

The feudal system in Bulgaria reflected both local traditions and Byzantine influence. While the king’s symbolic authority remained strong, real power lay in the hands of the boliars. The division of society into nobles, tradesmen, and peasants created a rigid structure, with the majority of people tied to the land and heavily taxed. This system ensured stability for the ruling elite but limited freedom for ordinary people, shaping the social and political life of medieval Bulgaria.