Here's how I see it...
Feudalism was founded to provide protection to the peasants. These "protectors" decided not to do work, in exchange for defending the place. Since these "protectors" had the weapons, and nothing better to do in times of peace, they took over the job of administrators, thus becoming the nobles in the feudal society. Eventually, one of the nobles had so much authority among his peers, they appointed him/her the leader. Thus, feudalism produces it's first king.
Here's how feudalism goes, in a moderate sense:
- Nobles are responsible to the Peasants (common folk). If they abuse their power too badly, the Peasants will find some way to screw the noble over.
- The King is responsible to the nobles. Again, should he/she abuse their power too badly, the Nobles will find some way to screw the King over.
Note I said "Some way". Peasants usually can't afford to directly confront their Noble. But, they usually have access to information and resources they can provide to the rivals of the Noble. Same with the Nobles and the King.
Thus, the Peasants influence events to appoint Nobles who share their views. In the meantime, Nobles influence events to insure the King they like is on the throne.
Here's how I'd suggest distinguishing between the various states of Liberalness:
- C+: The King rules absolutely. Nobody has freedoms of any kind.
- C: The Nobles serve the King, with the Peasants serving the Nobles.
- M: The King is at odds with the Nobles, but has authority. The Nobles are at odds with the Peasants, but rule all the same.
- L: The King serves the Nobles, and the Nobles serve the Peasants.
- L+: The "King" is just some random Peasant who changes weekly, with the "Nobles" simply being more Peasants who change weekly.
Let's not forget how this topic started....we wanted to see the Liberal vision of the Medieval Period found in
Monty Python and the Holy Grail come true!
(Yes, I know there's some slight problems with my explanation of things, but it's basically right, in my opinion...)
EDIT: He he, actually perhaps the L+ and C+ states should be pushed into "Game End" conditions. I forgot the most brilliant aspect of my idea, which was that we could replace the Executive Branch with the King, and the Legislative branch with the nobles. Which is kinda obvious, now that I think of how constitutional monarchies work...