Feudalism & Manorialism / The Three Orders of Society Medieval Europe Feudalism & Manorialism / The Three Orders of Society
Terms—Medieval Europe Lord Vassal Fief Liege Lord Feudal Courts Act of Homage Oath of Fealty Investiture Feudal Aids (Payments) Manorialism Manor Demesne Steward Bailiff Peasants: Serf, Villein, Freemen Gleaning Taille Chivalry
10th Century Invasions—Muslims, Magyars & Vikings
Feudalism The political system of the Middle Ages
Feudalism
Feudalism
Lord & Vassal
Fief Land given to the vassal by the lord. Owned by lord, but vassal receives income from the land.
How It Works Lord: Raises an army & provides protection Vassal: Provides military service & is rewarded AND: No stigma attached to being a vassal—everyone is an aristocrat
Feudal Hierarchy
Feudal Ceremony: Act of Homage
Feudal Ceremony: Oath of Fealty
Feudal Ceremony: Investiture
Manorialism The economic system of the Middle Ages
The Manor
The Manor House
Who Runs the Manor? Steward: “Business Manager” – oversees all lord’s manors Bailiff: Stationed on the land
How Was Society Divided? A three-way society divided by function Those Who Work: Peasants Those Who Fight: Nobility Those Who Pray: Clergy
The Three “Estates”
Those Who Work: Peasants Three categories of peasants: Serf: Least free Villein: Ancestors were once free Freemen: Not bound to the land
Those Who Work
Gleaning
The Taille Tax paid to the lord annually Paid in produce; usually 5 – 10%
Those Who Fight: Nobility
Chivalry
Chivalry
Those Who Pray: Clergy