Were medieval knights actually just organized crime syndicates operating under a different name?

During the 12th and 13th centuries, the social structure of Europe was defined by rigid control. This episode examines the harsh reality of life under the protection of knights, who functioned more like mafia thugs than noble warriors.

In the High Middle Ages, the European landscape was dominated by two primary power structures. For those in the countryside, existence meant working for a knight. These figures acted as local enforcers, maintaining control in a manner comparable to modern mafia syndicates.

Urban life offered little reprieve, as city dwellers were subject to the strict governance of guilds. These organizations held the power to exile individuals who failed to adhere to their specific rules or social expectations, highlighting a period where personal autonomy was largely non-existent.

Source: Knights Were Basically The Mafia Of Medieval Europe | Planet Money | NPR