Feudalism

The Emergence of Feudalism Invasions Vikings, Muslims, Magyars Kings and emperors were too weak to maintain law and order.

The Emergence of Feudalism People looked to local landlords or nobles to provide securityPeople looked to local landlords or nobles to provide security In this system the lord of the manor is like a mini-king.In this system the lord of the manor is like a mini-king.

How feudalism works… Under the feudal system, everyone had a well- defined place in society. Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle Rier, NJ. All rights reserved.

Feudalism is… It is a political system based on one’s social class and ability to perform one’s duty.It is a political system based on one’s social class and ability to perform one’s duty. –FIEFS the land and peasants (to work the land), was given to warriors, counts, and local officials –LORD the noble who gives the land and promises to protect the vassal –VASSAL the person who receives the land and promises loyalty and military service

Workers on the Manor There were two groups of peasant workers on the manor Freemen- skilled workers who paid rent and could leave the manor whenever they wished. (They usually had a skill needed by others on the manor.)‏ Serfs – workers bound to the land by contract with the nobles. (They had no freedom - they were the noble’s property.)‏

Obligations of Peasant Life Give Lord part of crops, traditionally took about 50%Give Lord part of crops, traditionally took about 50% Work on his land (Domain)Work on his land (Domain) Pay Taxes or Rent (How lord survived)‏Pay Taxes or Rent (How lord survived)‏

From the word “manor” Manorialism was the economic foundation of feudal society By 800 AD, nearly 60% of western Europe was enserfed (was a serf)‏ Center of manorial life was the village church Life was short and frightening for peasants Village life was hierarchical, very communal and local Manorialism

Manors Stokesay Castle (well preserved manor), UK

Feudal Contract LORDS VASSALS GIVE PROTECTION TO GIVE SERVICE TO

CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OF POWER SERFS AND FREEMEN

CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OF POWER LESSER NOBLES (KNIGHTS)‏ LABORPROTECTION SERFS AND FREEMEN

CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OF POWER LESSER NOBLES (KNIGHTS)‏ LABORPROTECTION POWERFUL NOBLES SERFS AND FREEMEN LAND AND PROTECTION LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE LESSER NOBLES (KNIGHTS)‏ SERFS AND FREEMEN

CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OF POWER LESSER NOBLES (KNIGHTS)‏ LABORPROTECTION POWERFUL NOBLES KING SERFS AND FREEMEN LAND AND PROTECTION LAND LOYALTY AND SERVICE LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE

REVIEW 1)Everyone owed loyalty to the ________ 2)_______ were powerful. They got _______ from the king. 3)Lesser nobles (knights) gave _________ _________ in return for land 4)_______ were bound to the land. They worked in return for ____________. 5)__________ were skilled workers. They paid rent to the ______ and were free to move if they wanted to. Let’s see how much you remember!

Check Your Answers Everyone owed loyalty to the king. Nobles were powerful. They got land from the king. Lesser nobles (knights) gave military service in return for land. Serfs were bound to the land. They worked in return for protection. Freemen were skilled workers. They paid rent to the nobles and were free to move if they wanted to.

THE END HISTORY NOTES