Middle Ages: Feudalism

The Middle Ages or Medieval Era ( 500 CE -1500 CE.) Rise of New Kingdoms/States that are not united New Kingdoms are unable to protect themselves from Barbarian Invasions, causing a need for localized Protection Barbarian Invasions cause the Fall of the Western Roman Empire The Rise of Feudalism in Europe

The Fall of Rome left a huge power vacuum in Western Europe Something had to replace social, political, and economic systems that were destroyed The new system was called….. FEUDALISM!! Absence of power or gov’t control

Feudalism--Definition Social/political system based on ownership of land, military service to one’s superior, and loyalty between rulers and the ruled Replaced Roman government in WE by 850

Feudalism The social structure of the Middle Ages was organized around the system of Feudalism. Feudalism in practice meant that the country was not governed by the king but by individual lords, or barons, who administered their own estates, and demanded military service from vassals. Usually the lords could field greater armies than the king.

Feudalism Kings gave land to nobles Nobles gave land to knights Land was called a manor or a fief Anyone who received land was called a vassal Everyone was a vassal to the king

Feudalism Vassals lords

European Feudalism Give Get KING Military service, loyalty Land and peasants NOBLES/Lords Land, peasants, protection Military service, loyalty KNIGHTS/ Vassals Land to farm, food, shelter, protection Food, taxes, military service PEASANTS / SERFS

How it works…feudalism Feudalism was built upon a relationship of obligation and mutual service between vassals and lords. A vassal held his land, or fief, as a grant from a lord. When a vassal died, his heir was required to publicly renew his oath of faithfulness (fealty) to his lord. This public oath was called "homage".

Many kings were little more than figurehead rulers In theory the king was the chief feudal lord, but in reality the individual lords were supreme in their own territory. Many kings were little more than figurehead rulers

Lords… A Lord's Obligations: On the lord's side, he was obliged to protect the vassal, and give military aid If a daughter inherited, the lord arranged her marriage. If there were no heirs the lord disposed of the fief as he chose.

Knighthood The primary duty of males above the serf class was military service. Boys were trained at an early age to become warriors. After training was complete, the boy was “dubbed” or ceremonially tapped on the shoulder. He was then a knight, had the title of sir, and had full rights of the warrior caste.

Knighthood Knighthood was grounded in the feudal ideal of loyalty. Knights had a system of social codes that they were not permitted to break.

Chivalry Chivalry was a system of ideals and social codes governing the behaviors of knights. Chivalry codes included oaths of loyalty to the lord and observing certain rules of warfare. Chivalry brought about an idealized attitude about women, but did not improve their actual position in life. Chivalry gave rise to a new form of literature- romance.

Serfs… The Serf's Life. Although not technically a slave, a serf was bound to a lord for life. He could own no property and needed the lord's permission to marry. Under no circumstance could a serf leave the land unless he chose to run away. If he ran to a town and managed to stay there for a year and a day, he was a free man. However, the serf did have rights. He could not be displaced if the manor changed hands. He could not be required to fight, and he was entitled to the protection of the lord.

Feudal Japan

Geography Archipelago(Group of Islands) Off the Coast of Asia 4 Main Islands 2,456 Smaller Islands Slightly Smaller than California Very Mountainous (some volcanoes) ¾ of Land Only 11% of land can be farmed Few Natural Resources Fish & Rice

Culture Shinto 600s Painting & Sculpture Calligraphy “Way of the Gods” Traditional Religion People and Spirits Interact Painting & Sculpture Calligraphy Gardens & Flower Arrangement Clothing = Kimono Castles

Feudal System Bushido = Honor Code 1192: Emperor grants Title of Shogun Shogun – “commander of a force” Over military, Finances, & Laws True leaders of Japan Daimyo – “Large Lands” Local Leaders Samurai – “To serve” Loyal to Daimyos Bushido = Honor Code

Feudal System Shogun Daimyo Samurai Farmers & Fishermen Emperor Shogun Daimyo Samurai Farmers & Fishermen Artisans & Merchants

Daimyo were nobles who supported Emperors ultimately ruled the land in Japan, however, they hired a Shogun to be military general Daimyo were nobles who supported the Shogun by owning and caring for large estates. Hired Samurai to protect farms. Samurai were armored and mounted warriors who fought to the death to protect their lord and his farm. Peasants worked on the daimyo’s farm and planted rice in fields called “Paddies”. In return for work, a peasant was protected from danger and given a place to live.