Vocabulary Feudalism vassal feudal contract fief knight tournament chivalry troubadour manor serf SS.2.3.HS.2

Feudalism and the Manor Economy A new political and social system SS.2.3.HS.2

Vows Lord (King) Nobles Peasants SS.2.3.HS.2

Emergence of Feudalism People needed protection for themselves, their homes, and their land. Feudalism is a loosely organized system of rule in which powerful local lords divided their land among lesser lords or vassals. SS.2.3.HS.2

Mutual Obligations Feudal contract – exchange of pledges between lords and vassals. Lord granted vassal a fief or estate Few acres to hundreds of square miles Included peasants to work the land Included any towns in area Vassal agreed to be loyal to Lord 40 days of military service Provide payments to Lord SS.2.3.HS.2

Structured Society Kings & Queens Knights served their noble lords in exchange for their land. Kings & Queens The greatest lords of Europe and all nobles and knights were their vassals. Peasants owned no land, so they were not part of the feudal system, But many worked on land owned by nobles and knights. Nobles were vassals of kings and queens. Many were also lords of lower ranking nobles and Knights SS.2.3.HS.2

The World of Nobles Warfare was a way of life Most trained from boyhood to be a knight – or mounted warrior SS.2.3.HS.2

Castles Strongholds of powerful lords Included: Keep (wooden tower) surrounded by a fence Moat (water filled drench) Gradually became larger and grander Walls built of stone Wars often centered on seizing castles SS.2.3.HS.2

SS.2.3.HS.2

Noblewomen Lady of the Manor Supervised vassals Managed the household Oversaw estate Women given land as a dowry – to be given to her husband Arranged marriage Before marriage, taught to spin, weave and manage household. Some learned to read and write SS.2.3.HS.2

Chivalry Code of conduct for Knights Required to be brave, loyal, and true to their word. Required to be fair in war No to attack if opponent wasn’t ready Place women on a high pedestal Called for women to be protected and cherished SS.2.3.HS.2

Chivalry Troubadours – wondering poets Praised the beauty, perfection and wit of women Ideas of chivalry shaped western ideas of romantic love SS.2.3.HS.2

Peasants and Manor Life Manor was the center of medieval economic life. Most peasants were serfs – bound to the land. They were not free Could not leave the manor without permission SS.2.3.HS.2

Mutual Obligations Peasant’s had to farm the Lord’s land several days per week Repaired roads, bridges, and fences Paid fees: Marriage, inheritance, and use of mill, etc. Christmas and Easter other fees due Money didn’t exist – barter Grain, honey, eggs, ……. SS.2.3.HS.2

Mutual Obligations In return for lifetime of labor: Right to farm a few acres for themselves Protection Couldn’t be forced off the land Guaranteed food, housing and land. SS.2.3.HS.2

Homework Questions Describe three features of feudal society. What obligations did lords and vassals have under the feudal system? How did the code of chivalry affect medieval ideas about women? What responsibilities did the peasant have toward the lord of a manor and Lord to the peasants? SS.2.3.HS.2