Feudalism I. After the Fall of Charlemagne 1. No strong central government 2. Cities became unsafe 3. Money became worthless -What did people value when $ became worthless? -LAND 4. Landowners became rulers -”Land Lords” or “Lords” -Lords maintain law and order -Manorial System -Feudalism
II. Feudalism 1. Lords a. Powerful landowners 2. Knights / Vassals a. Warriors who protected Lord given land as payment 3. Fief / Feud a. Land given to a Knight or Vassal www.answers.com/topic/feudalism
II. Feudalism continued… 4. Lord & Knight’s Contract a. Knight Promised -Military protection -Payment of taxes -Entertain the Lord -Protect Lord from capture b. Lord Promised -Land -Military equipment -Maintain roads, buildings -Issue law and order -Serve as a Judge Feudal System
II. Feudalism continued… 5. Breakdown of Feudalism a. Boost in trade -rebuilt cities -new jobs available b. Money increased in value -people left manors -find city jobs c. Invention of armor piercing arrows -Knights became obsolete www.geocities.com/.../peasants_revolt.htm
III. The Manorial System *Self-sufficient Able to run by itself, without outside support 1. Manor- a. Plot of land owned by the Lord -Including the Castle or Manor House 2. Serfs- a. poor working class who worked on the Manor 3. Castle- a. Fortified mansion designed to repel attackers 4. Lord & Vassal Contract a. See slide 3 5. Tournament a. Contests between Knights -joust, race, games, etc… -entertain the Lord