In reading a book about Edward 1 written by Marc Morris published by Windmill books, London, UK , 2008. Edward I is also known as Longshanks in the movie Braveheart. In the book, among other topics is power struggles between the King and other feudal lords. At the time, most of the wealth was in a feudal system which a family accumulated lands (sometimes because of being friends with the Royals) and 95% of the people were serfs who worked the land for the lords. The lords were the members of the government and occasionally when a King lost a number of battles, the lords would set out to try to be King.

One of risks if the lord backed the losing side was disinheritance. This was the rebel’s greatest fear, sometimes even worse than death. The reason being it entailed lasting shame and the end of the family’s fortune. Often times rebels would understand being punished to some degree but they would swear loyalty to the winning side or the King if they kept most of their lands. If they were lose all their lands, they would go to a distant property and challenge the King’s forces. In Edward’s time more than a thousand properties changed hands because they back the wrong horse.

Another way to gain property was through taxation. England was a Christian nation although how people received religion was varied. The religion was Catholic and the Pope had forbidden Christians from practicing usury or lending money at interest. Since most jobs were not allowed, those of the Jewish faith quickly became bankers. Due to mismanagement of government by Henry (Edward’s father), Henry constantly raised the taxes on Jewish people. This is turn lead to the bankers selling discounted loans to those who could afford it, and then the Jewish people could pay the taxes. Those that were buying most of the debt were two of the wealthiest people in Henry’s court. The lords bought the loans at 50 cents on the dollar and then asked for the loan to be repaid. If the person could not repay, the lords foreclosed and seized the real estate.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, one off the reasons why one wants to increase their wealth is to enlarge their inheritance. Sometimes the attitudes that were prevalent in the 1200’s can easily be seen in the 2000’s. Another reason why you want to increase your wealth is to take advantage of opportunities to buy relative inexpensive assets and allow them to return to normal full market value.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.