Life in Medieval Europe: A look at Life and the Feudal Hierarchy 8 th Grade Social Studies 08-09

WHY WAS FEUDALISM NECESSARY?

A New Order Feudalism A political and economic system in which large landholders gave protection to people in return for their service to the landholder Filled two needs –Peoples need for protection –Landowners need for defense Lasted until around 1450 orders of authority or hierarchies developed between different classes

The Feudal Hierarchy Monarch Lords Vassal Knight Guildsmen/Craftsmen Peasants/Serfs either a king or a queen which was typically in power based on lineage powerful noblemen and women who owned large tracts of land (fiefs) a person who is given a manor from a lord or king a specially trained soldier who fights for a lord and vassal men who learned from a relative how to produce a particular good for the manor poor farmers who work the manor’s farmland in exchange for protection

The Feudal Hierarchy Freeman (Guildsman/Craftsman) Serfs/Peasants

The Feudal Hierarchy Vassals Knights LABORPROTECTION Freeman (Guildsman/Craftsman) Serfs/Peasants

The Feudal Hierarchy Vassals Knights LABORPROTECTION Lords Freeman (Guildsman/Craftsman) Serfs/Peasants LAND AND PROTECTION LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE

The Feudal Hierarchy Vassals Knights LABORPROTECTION Lords Monarch Freeman (Guildsman/Craftsman) Serfs/Peasants LAND AND PROTECTION LAND LOYALTY AND SERVICE LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE

The Monarch Monarchwas a king or queen who ruled over a strong central government. considered god-like in their kingdom.

Feudal Lords and Ladies considered to be noble in Feudal Europe granted fiefs (large tracts of land) by the king or queen citizens were expected to pay homage to the lord and lady with the Oath of Fealty in return the lord or lady would raise an army to protect them in times of trouble

Lords owned hundreds to thousands of acres gained wealth through rent, taxes, services and food from craftsmen and serfs lived lavishly in his castle and met regularly with his court to discuss issues around the fief

Lady dealt with the management of crops, animals and property ruled over hundreds of employees and servants served the manor as a nurse since doctors and surgeons were few and far between

Vassals former knights who paid homage to their lords were rewarded for their service with manors each manor contained a smaller castle and the ability to thwart enemy attacks with certain defenses

Feudal Contract LORDS VASSALS GIVE PROTECTION TO GIVE SERVICE TO

Knights specially trained soldiers who paid homage and said the Oath of Fealty to both their lords and vassals were given all the same rights and privileges as lords

Craftsmen people that worked in each manor producing goods for the manor’s self-sufficiency had special skills so their work was in high demand many lived in wooden homes and had enough income to support their family

Serfs owned no land to pass on to future generations lived in mud and stone huts, sometimes wood and stone homes gave most of their harvests to their vassal or Church men typically worked the land or were called to fight, while women produced food and clothing for their own household

Comparing Serfs to Lords Serfs Ate eggs, bread, poultry, some meat, and vegetables Wore wool and animal skin clothes Benefited from their beasts of burden, selling some crops, and bartering what little they had Lords Ate meat, game, fish, pastries, spices, and vegetables Wore wool, silk, and linen clothes Acquired wealth from rent, taxes, services and products from their fief, and the prizes of conquest.

Quick-Write Assignment Quick Write #11 : Based on your notes describe why paying homage and taking oaths, like the Oath of Fealty, would be such an important part of Medieval Life.