Feudalism: Feudal Society, Manors, and Castles Tuesday 3/5

Do Now: Take out your homework and stamp sheet With your shoulder partner talk about the following questions: -What is feudalism? -What is the structure of the feudal society? Who is at the top? Bottom? What are their roles? Homework: Read 1.6 “The Manor System”, SQ3R & answer 3 review questions

The Feudal and Manorial Systems Objective to identify how : In Europe during the Middle Ages, the feudal and manorial systems governed life and required people to perform certain duties and obligations.

The Feudal and Manorial Systems Feudal System = Political and Social System Manorial System = Economic System

The Feudal System Origins of Feudalism Knights and Lords Knights did not exist at the beginning of the Middle Ages but began to emerge as the period progressed. Feudalism originated partly as result of the Viking, Magyar, Muslim invasions Kings were unable to defend their lands, lands of their nobles Nobles had to a find way to defend their own lands They built castles, often on hills Not elaborate structures; built of wood, used as place of shelter in case of attack (motte and bailey) Origins of Feudalism Nobles needed trained soldiers to defend castles Knights were the most important, highly skilled soldiers Mounted knights in heavy armor were the best defenders Being a knight was expensive; they had to maintain weapons, armor, horses Knights demanded payment for services Knights and Lords

Knights were usually paid for their services with land Fiefs and Vassals Knights were usually paid for their services with land Land given to a knight for service was called a fief. Anyone accepting a fief was called a vassal. The person from whom he accepted the fief was his lord. Historians call the system of exchanging land for service the feudal system, or feudalism. 6

Feudal Obligations Oath of Fealty Lords and vassals in feudal system had duties to fulfill to one another. A knight’s chief duty as vassal was to provide military service to his lord. He had to promise to remain loyal; A promise called the oath of fealty Financial Obligations Knight had certain financial obligations to lord. Knight obligated to pay ransom for lord’s release if captured in battle. Gave money to lord on special occasions, such as knighting of son. Lord’s Obligations Lord had to treat knights fairly, not demanding too much time or money. He had to protect the knight if he was attacked by enemies. He had to act as judge in disputes between knights 7

A Complicated System Lord and Vassal Fealty to King Europe’s feudal system was incredibly complex. A person could be both lord and vassal. Some knights with large fiefs gave small pieces of land to other knights; this created many levels of obligations. One knight could serve many lords; no prohibition against knight accepting fiefs from more than one noble. Lord and Vassal Almost everyone in the system served more than one lord. Theoretically, everyone supposed to be loyal to the king. In practice, not everyone was loyal Some powerful nobles as strong as kings they were supposed to serve, but ignored their duties as vassals Feudal rules specific to time, place; could change over time; England’s rules were not same as France’s rules Fealty to King 8

Lords, Peasants, and Serfs The Manorial System The feudal system was a political and social system. A related system governed medieval economics. This system was called the manorial system because it was built around large estates called manors. Manors were owned by wealthy lords and knights. Peasants farmed manor fields. They were given protection, and plots of land to cultivate for selves Lords, Peasants, and Serfs Most peasants on farm were serfs, tied to manor. They were not slaves,. They could not be sold away from manor But could not leave, or marry without lord’s permission Serfdom Manors had some free people who rented land from lord. They were known as tenants. Others on the manor included landowning peasants, skilled workers like blacksmiths, millers Also had a priest for spiritual needs Free People 10

A Typical Manor Rotation Small Village Most of the manor’s land was occupied by fields for crops, pastures for animals. Middle Ages farmers learned that leaving a field empty for year improved soil. In time, this practice developed into three-field crop rotation system. One field was planted in spring for fall harvest. Another field was planted in winter for spring harvest. The third field remained unplanted for year. Rotation Each manor included a fortified house for noble family, and village for peasants and serfs. The goal was to make manor self- sufficient. The typical manor also included a church, a mill, and a blacksmith Small Village

Daily Life in the Middle Ages Life in a Castle Life in the Middle Ages was not easy. They did not have comforts we have today. Early castles were built for defense, not comfort. They had few windows. They were stuffy in summer, cold in winter, and dark always. Space Nobles had to share space with others, including soldiers and servants. Private rooms were very rare. Main room was the hall. It was a large room for dining and entertaining. Bedrooms In early castles, the noble family bedrooms were separated from main area by sheets. Later castles had separate bedrooms with nearby latrines. A wooden bathtub was placed outside in warm weather, inside near fireplace in winter. 13

Life in a Village Despite discomforts, life in a castle was preferable to life in a village. The typical village family lived in a small wooden one-room house. The roof was made of straw, the floor of dirt, and the furniture of rough wood. Open holes in the walls served as windows. Most families slept on beds of straw on the floor. All members shared one room with each other and animals. Most were glad to have animals to provide extra heat in cold winters. Bedrooms Peasant families cooked their meals over an open fire in the middle of the floor. Typical meal: brown bread, cheese, vegetables, and occasionally meat. Their were no chimneys. The house was often full of smoke; and fires were common. Meals The family rose before dawn. Men went to work in the fields; women did chores. During harvest, the entire family worked in the field all day.

Manor House: -A wooden house or “castle” that the noble lived in. -It was fortified and served as a place of protection during attacks. -The Great Hall served as a place for gathering and legal trials were held there. -Later develop into castles.