What would a pagan "feudalism" look like

Was this a part of feudal society though? The absolute monarchs of France post feudalism surely held some of this concept, but the idea that the monarch was some sort of living god is different than even the later absolute model you reference.

Considering that these monarchs could be excommunicated and shamed by the Papacy is indicative of what I refer to.
No it wasn't, not in practice anyway. He was answerable to God, but more importantly he was answerable to the Church, headed by the Pope, and manifesting themselves in a host of different ways, especially after the rise of universities. In practice the king would need the consent of his nobles to do pretty much anything outside the Ile-de-France, and even there the various lords and towns had certain privileges.

The whole point of Western feudalism was that what the law was could change within a day's ride, and custom could often overrule what the king wanted.
 
Top