Medieval Feudalism
Invasions, 800s-900s Vikings, Muslim, Magyars Destroyed Carolingian Empire Results? Chaos Further decline of population, trade and agricultural production Strong prey on the weak Lords (i.e., the strong) began carving up the land among themselves
Birth Europeans scared, in constant danger Offered their only resource—their labor—to the local lord In return, the lord provided them protection Over time, this relationship solidified into a governing system
Definition of Feudalism Decentralized system of governing and landholding Based on elaborate system of obligations and loyalties between lords and vassals Existed by 1000 C.E.
Lord Gave Land Received Loyalty Military service Controlled only as much land as he and warriors can personally defend Feudalism provided him with army of vassals to do it
Vassal Gave Received Oath of loyalty 40 days of military service Retinue of soldiers Received Portion of lord’s land to house, clothe, feed, defend himself
Fief LAND a lord gives his vassal Vassal defends and rules fief in lord’s name Fiefs became hereditary (still technically lord’s property) Vassals built castles where they lived and defended fief
Feudalism’s Complexities Every lord was a vassal SUBINFEUDATION Vassals divided up their fiefs into smaller fiefs Give them to vassals of their own Creates the retinue of soldiers his lord requires Vassals could hold numerous fiefs, from different lords (supposedly had a LIEGE LORD) Vassals could and did switch allegiances, fought against lords Kingmostly a fancy title System created private armies all over Europe
Rollo’s Fief Realm of Lord Charles The Slow Fief Charles’ Personal Land Fief Fief Fief Oddo’s Fief Paul’s Fief
God King Lord Lord Vassal Vassal Vassal Vassal Vassal Vassal
Manorialism Medieval economic system Fiefs supported lords, vassals, serfs (everyone) Manors located on fiefs (several manors on a fief) Manors self-contained and self-sufficientprovided everything lords and serfs needed Manor House/Castle Village (houses, bakery, mill, blacksmith, church) Farmland Serfs (15-30 families)
A Medieval Manor
3 Orders of the High Middle Ages Those Who Fight 5-10% Those Who Pray 5-10% Burghers? Those Who Work 80-90%