Feudalism

The Empire crumbles Invaders destroy the empire 800 to 100 C.E. Vikings from North (Scandinavia) Magyars Nomads from the East Muslims From the South

Feudalism begins Viking leader Rollo pledges loyalty to the king of France Charles the Simple Began in China under Zhou Dynasty Based on rights and obligations

How it worked Lord granted land (fief) to a vassal Charles to Rollo Peak was the King who granted land to nobles and bishops Nobles/Bishops give land to knights in exchange for protection Nobles or knights would have peasants work the land in exchange for housing or food

Noble/Church Official Hierarchy King Noble/Church Official Knights Peasants

Social classes Medieval writers described well defined social classes Those who fought (knights and nobles) Those who prayed (monks and nuns) Those who worked (peasants) Most peasants were serfs Tied to the land but not slaves These classes were normally inherited and hard to move out of

Economics of Feudalism Manor was the lord’s estate Lord provided serfs with housing and protection in return for the serf’s manual labor Self-sufficient community Peasant paid lord in labor, grain, and taxes Also paid the church a tithe (1/10 of income) Believed god determined your lot in life

Simulation We are going to demonstrate feudalism with skittles I am going to come around and you will pick your role out of the bag Afterwards, we will distribute cups DO NOT EAT THE SKITTLES UNTIL INSTRUCTED Do not talk or disrupt during the activity. If you do so I will collect your cup and you will not be allowed to participate