Goals for today

Define important terms that are associated

with feudalism
Explain the factors that led to the rise of
Feudalism in Europe
Identify the roles of kings, lords, knights,
and serfs in the Feudal System
Evaluate the Feudal system
Periodization
Early Middle Ages: 500 1000

High Middle Ages: 1000 1250

Late Middle Ages: 1250 - 1500
Feudalism

Political and social system based on the

granting of land in exchange for loyalty,
military assistance, and other services
Europe in the 6c
Barbarian
Invasions
cause the
Fall of the
Western
Roman
Empire


Rise of
New
Kingdoms/
States
that are
not united
New
Kingdoms
are unable
to protect
themselve
s from
Barbarian
Invasions,
causing a
need for
localized
Protection
The
Rise of
Feudalism in
Europe
The Middle Ages or Medieval Period
( 500 CE -1500 CE.)
Feudalism

Developed as
a result of
frequent
invasions in
western
Europe

Kings and
nobles
needed a way
to protect
their lands
Feudalism

Lords divided their

lands into estates
called fiefs

Fiefs (land) given to

vassals in return for
loyalty and military
support

All nobles were

vassals to the King
8
What is a Knight?
Almost all nobles were knights
Training began at age 7, as a
page, under the guidance of the
lady of the manor
Became squires at age 15 and
were trained by other knights
Those deemed worthy were
dubbed knights
Feudalism

Knights

Mounted warriors who

protected lords lands

Given land for their

services

Chivalry
Code of ethics followed by
knights
Honesty, fairness in battle,
loyal, proper treatment of
women

Feudal Obligations
Provide military service
Remain loyal and faithful
Give money on special
occasions
Give Land
Protect from attack
Resolve disputes between
knights
Peasants and Serfs

Serfs

Peasants who lived and

worked on the lords manor

Were not allowed to leave

the manor or marry without
the lords permission

Were allowed to farm on

the manor in return for
work

Lords were required to

protect the serfs
Life of Serfs

The life of a serf was

harsh

Worked long hours

few lived past 35 years

old

Based on heredity
You were a serf if you
parents were
Life of Serf
The Harshness of Manor Life
Peasants pay taxes to use mill and
bakery; pay a tithe to priest

Tithea church taxis equal to

one-tenth of a peasants income
Serfs live in crowded cottages
with dirt floors, straw for beds
Worked long hours
raising crops, livestock;
feeding and clothing family
Poor diet, illness, malnutrition
make life expectancy 35 years
Serfs generally accept their lives
as part of Gods plan
Manorial System

Freemen

skilled workers who

paid rent to nobles
and could leave the
manor
Ex. Blacksmith and
millers
16
Constructing the Pyramid Feudal Power
SERFS AND FREEMEN
17
Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN
18
Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR PROTECTION
POWERFUL
NOBLES
SERFS AND FREEMEN
LAND AND
PROTECTION
LOYALTY AND
MILITARY SERVICE
19
Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR PROTECTION
POWERFUL
NOBLES
KING
SERFS AND FREEMEN
LAND AND
PROTECTION
LAND LOYALTY AND
SERVICE
LOYALTY AND
MILITARY SERVICE
Carcassonne: A
Medieval Castle
Parts of a Medieval
Castle
Manorial System

An economic system
in the Middle Ages
that was built
around large
estates called
manors

Included a village
and the land
surrounding it
Manorial System

Manors were self sufficient

Most things needed for daily life were produced on the manor