A general government may operate on individuals in cases of general concern, and still be federal. This distinction is with the states, as states, represented by the people of those states.
During the medieval era, knights were some of the most respected people because they were the lords of the battlefield and the protectors of the land. So if you were a knight, then you were definitely a big shot. Now boys had to leave home to be trained as a knight because he had to study under a local lord and assist the local lord as a page. He had to dedicate all his time to study the basic skills that he would need in order for him to become a knight. This included combat, hunting, history, and many other things too.
The french revolution began in 1739-1799