Chapter 7.2 Feudalism and the Manor Economy Medieval society was a network of mutual obligations Even Kings and nobles took vows of loyalty and service to others This was part of a new political and economic system during the Middle Ages

Feudalism and the Manor Economy In the face of many invaders, this was a chaotic society b/c no rulers could control large areas Much warfare and violence.

Focus Q What have you heard students say to respectfully correct each other? When would this be appropriate? Why don’t students do this very often?

Reading Passage Summary Page 219, “Feudalism Develops” Just the one paragraph! We will start simple.

What we’ll learn Why? Feudalism: loose org. designed for protection b/c kings were too weak All were impacted by Feudalism during the Middle (Medieval) Ages Lords, vassals, knights, peasants, serfs Mutual obligations were the basis of Feudalism What would you do for someone who gave you land, protected you, or worked for you?

How could peasant, the lowest of society, be the strong man of Medieval society?

Focus Q1 Make a chart showing the responsibilities of Lords and Vassals according to 7.2 worksheet.

Focus Q: Wed., October 2 Who is the warrior class in our society? Are they respected? How do they get their training? Where are today’s castles? Who lives there? What do they do for a living?

**Feudalism** Develops In the face of invasions, Kings and Emperors needed a *plan for protection*, a political and economic structure Powerful local lords divided their land with lesser lords (vassals) Vassals pledged loyalty and military service to the greater lord

Mutual Obligations Pol/econ relationship btwn lords and vassals was based on exchange of land for military service and loyalty This was very important b/c warfare was a way of life

Lords Fiefs included serfs, towns, buildings 1. grants vassal a *FIEF (estate, land)* Fiefs included serfs, towns, buildings 2. Lord promises to protect his vassal

A Fief

*Vassals* pledges to his lord **loyalty 40 days of military service** $ and advice This was a warrior society.

A Structured Society Monarchs….powerful lords (dukes, counts) ……….. Vassals had…. vassals….. hmmm…. So sometimes a man was a lord and a vassal Vassals often had fiefs (estates) from more than 1 lord It got complex…..but you usually had a liege lord to whom you owed your 1st loyalty

Medieval Castles video United Streaming “World History: The Medieval Era” Segments 1-4 look good #1 Life in a Castle relationships

Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty and military service.

Feudalism (political system) The kings had lots of land; he gave land to lords in exchange for protection and $. Lords gave their land to knights in exchange for protection, $. Knights let serfs work the land and he would protect them. Serfs got food and shelter. Thus, each person had rights and responsibilities

Knights and Warfare If you were going to be a Knight, at age 7 sent away to your father’s lord for training Ride, fight, keep armor and weapons in shape Strict discipline Usually fought on horseback w/swords, lances, axes, armor, shields

What is happening?

Knights on Horseback A lance

Morning Star

Castles and Defense Powerful lords fortified their homes more and more Were homes and fortresses Castles often had a strategic position at harbors, river crossings, mountain passes

Castles and Defense By 1100, the richest had stone castles w/high walls, towers, drawbridges and moat Knights who protected it lived there Peasants moved in in times of war

Parts of a Medieval Castle

Castles!

English Castle

Slovakia

French Castle

Feudal Warfare!!!! Catapult or Trebuchet Lances Siege Tower

Battering Rams

Trebuchets were used to hurl all sorts of objects at the enemy. **Catapults could hurl 600 pound objects over 1000 feet**

Noblewomen: Restrictions and Power When husband/father off fighting, she took over Supervised vassals, managed household, did agricultural and medical tasks, might even go to war Rights of inheritance limited, land usually went to oldest son Widows kept their land

Noblewomen: Restrictions and Power Sent to friend/relatives for training Spin and weave, supervise servants, some learned to read and write Have lots of babies, support husband

Chivalry: A Code of Honor and Behavior

*Chivalry*: Romance and Reality **Code of conduct for Knights** In theory…..Fight fair, brave, loyal, true to your word, protect the weak (peasants, women), put women on a pedestal Applied to other knights, not commoners Few knights lived up to these ideals **troubadours: wandering musicians who sang about Knights great deeds**

Ch 7.2

Manors support Feudalism Manors: heart of feudal economy Was the lord’s estate Peasants were a majority of pop., lived and worked on manor Most peasants were SERFS **serfs: stayed on land for life, sold with the land**, not free, couldn’t leave w/o permission, --The lowest of the low

Life on the Medieval Manor Serfs at work

Lords & Peasants: Mutual Obligations **Peasants—econ. backbone of society** Work several day/wk. on the lord’s land Repaired his roads, bridges, fences Had to ask permission to marry Paid a fee to inherit their father’s land Paid fee to use grist (grain) mill No $, paid in honey, cheese, eggs, grain, etc.--bartering

Lords & Peasants: Mutual Obligations Peasants farmed some land for themselves Entitled to lord’s protection Couldn’t leave, couldn’t be forced off manor In theory, guaranteed food, housing, land

Self-Sufficient World Manor was self-sufficient Peasants produce most things they need Food, clothing, simple furniture and tools Cottages and huts, water mill, church, lord’s manor house, fields, pastures (animals), meadows (hay) Forest reserved for the lord

The Medieval Manor Fallow field

Peasant Life…in a word….HARSH Work long hrs.—sunup to sundown Hunger was common, esp. late winter—waiting for next crop **Disease killed many—few lived beyond 35** Ate black bread and veggies: cabbage, onions, turnips—little meat

Peasant Life…in a word….HARSH Poachers got severe punishment Family and animals lived in same hut..aaah Celebrated marriages, births Got 1 week off at Easter, Christmas

Summarize On focus Q page 3 things you learned I wonder…… Reminds me of……