Feudalism and the Feudal Pyramid The foundation of Middle Ages society

Feudal Pyramid European society resembled a chess game European society resembled a chess game Kings/Queens were powerful, but not always the most powerful Kings/Queens were powerful, but not always the most powerful Bishops/Nobles tried to lessen royal authority Bishops/Nobles tried to lessen royal authority Lesser nobles served as knights Lesser nobles served as knights Most people were poor Most people were poor Poor were known as serfs: like slaves as they are bound to the land they work (pawns in a chess game) Poor were known as serfs: like slaves as they are bound to the land they work (pawns in a chess game)

Continued… Royalty needed military to be strong Royalty needed military to be strong Landowners were often as powerful as royalty due to land assets Landowners were often as powerful as royalty due to land assets Landowners offered protection to others Landowners offered protection to others In return, poorer served as Vassals (Lesser Lords) to the Lord In return, poorer served as Vassals (Lesser Lords) to the Lord This became known as “Lord/Vassal Relationship” or “Feudalism” This became known as “Lord/Vassal Relationship” or “Feudalism”

Feudal Pyramid

The Medieval Manor Manor: Lord’s estate Manor: Lord’s estate What did the Manor consist of? What did the Manor consist of? 1,000 or more acres of land 1,000 or more acres of land Castle Castle Church Church Peasant huts Peasant huts Equipment for food making (ovens, wine presses) Equipment for food making (ovens, wine presses) Forests and farmable land Forests and farmable land

The Medieval Manor

Farming and Daily Life at a Manor Feudalism was based on farming – simple tools and not efficient Feudalism was based on farming – simple tools and not efficient People at this time did not know about crop rotation (planting different crops to replenish minerals) People at this time did not know about crop rotation (planting different crops to replenish minerals) Instead, they fallowed the land Instead, they fallowed the land Fallow: untilled/unfarmed land to restore fertility Fallow: untilled/unfarmed land to restore fertility Demesne: best farming land on the manor Demesne: best farming land on the manor

Continued… Most serfs lived in a single thatched roof cottage – heat came from a center fireplace (cottage fires were common) Most serfs lived in a single thatched roof cottage – heat came from a center fireplace (cottage fires were common) Both serf men and women worked hard –men = fields, women = household duties Both serf men and women worked hard –men = fields, women = household duties Money was scarce due to little trade Money was scarce due to little trade

Castle Life Castle was on the highest ground to protect from enemy Castle was on the highest ground to protect from enemy Surrounded by a moat: protective water around a castle Surrounded by a moat: protective water around a castle Great Hall: living quarters of the lord and his family Great Hall: living quarters of the lord and his family Keep: most secure/safest place in castle…where lord/family would go in case of/during an attack Keep: most secure/safest place in castle…where lord/family would go in case of/during an attack Dungeon: place where prisoners were kept – were dark, dirty, and jail-like Dungeon: place where prisoners were kept – were dark, dirty, and jail-like Castles were made of stone – they were cold and were lit by candle light as there were not many windows Castles were made of stone – they were cold and were lit by candle light as there were not many windows

Manor Life Lord did administrative work Lord did administrative work Steward: Lord’s chief advisor Steward: Lord’s chief advisor Reeve: spokesperson for the lord and overseer of serfs Reeve: spokesperson for the lord and overseer of serfs Constable: called meetings for the lord and enforced laws Constable: called meetings for the lord and enforced laws Lord’s Wife: overseer of artisans and took lord’s power if he was away at battle Lord’s Wife: overseer of artisans and took lord’s power if he was away at battle Serfs: Did the labor work at the manor Serfs: Did the labor work at the manor