Feudal Society Ch 24

Three Important Groups Clergy Nobles Peasants

Who has the power? Power was based on land ownership King owned all the land Charles Martel rewarded soldiers with land (fiefs/estates) Land ownership became tied to military service

How the nobles got their power… Weak kings depended on nobles for food and horses Nobles grew more powerful than the king and became independent rulers Peasants became tied to nobles as they worked their land and turned to them for protection

Lord and Vassal Vassal Lord I’m a less powerful noble. I swear to serve you and help you in battle. If your family celebrates a big event, I will give you money. If you are held hostage, I will pay your ransom. I’m the most powerful noble. In return for your allegiance, I will give you a fief (estate) and the right to govern the people who live in your fief. Don’t forget our monthly meetings! Vassal Lord

The Home of a Noble Manor House Castle Wooden building Palisade – wooden fence One big room Straw-covered floors Ate with their hands Castle Fortress with stone walls Drawbridge Portcullis Keep Housed many people

Life as a Noble Ladies Noblemen Under authority of her husband Arranged marriages Married between age 12-21 Helped husbands run estate Raised children Took care of household Cared for sick Ran estate Hunted and fished Held court (parties) Played chess Listened to minstrels

Knighthood Nobles could be knights – warriors on horseback Expected to follow a Code of Chivalry Obey his Lord Respect women Help people in trouble Be honest Fight fairly

Knight’s Training Knight Good squires were promoted to knights Page Began at 7 years old Helped knights take care of armor and horses Squire Promoted at 15 years old Went into battle with the knight Knight Good squires were promoted to knights Ceremony was called dubbing

Tournaments Contests of strength, skill, and endurance Festive occasions that drew large audiences Favorite event was the joust Expensive and potentially deadly, but very popular

Life on the Manor Land divided into manors, or farming communities Lord appointed officials to carry out his orders Seneschal: visited fiefs and looked after them Bailiff: made sure peasants worked hard Lord lived in manor house or castle Peasants lived in wood and dirt cottages with thatched roofs See diagram on page 368

Freemen and Serfs Freemen Serfs Peasants who paid the lord for the right to work the land Still served the lord Belonged to the lord Worked for the lord No freedom