Part II: The Feudal Society Life in the Middle Ages Part II: The Feudal Society

Video: Religion in the Middle Ages https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra2t3S8jp8w Look for’s: Stained glass Monks cathedrals

Feudalism System of Lord and Vassal existed from roughly the 9th to the 13th century Feudal System: a king or noble made a land grant (‘fief’) to knights in return for military service 3 Aspects to Feudalism: 1. Social: determined each persons place, rights, and responsibilities in society Political: ensured protection for all people of a territory Economical: - regulated distribution of land, and therefore of wealth knights became nobility/barons, and powerful nobles could become lords below the lowest knights were the commoners or peasants peasants - eventually called ‘serfs’ - became legally bound to their lord’s estate

Manor Life Major components: Lord’s castle or manor house everyday Feudal life revolved around the manor Major components: Lord’s castle or manor house fields for crops and grazing pastures barn and stable cottages for peasants church mill and blacksmith’s shop average 400 ha in size

Medieval Education learning of Classical Greece and Rome lost in the Dark Ages (Early Middle Ages) no schools (few within the church) most people illiterate changes by Middle to Late Middle Ages (9th - to 15th centuries) Charlemagne’s impact ‘Renaissance of learning’ Universities by 12th C. (Paris and Bolougne were the 1st) monks begin practice of copying ancient Greek and Latin manuscripts by hand - ‘Illuminated Manuscripts’

Political Developments: The Magna Carta “Great Charter” – 1215 C.E. listed rights of nobles and the king’s responsibilities and privileges in governing could not set new taxes without consulting Great Council (made up of Lords and clergy) King had to obey laws like subjects did rights of common people and church recognized rights granted to nobles were extended to all citizens over time King John 1199-1216