1. Feudalism in Europe Chapter 13 Section 2 Pages 322-326

2. Terms to know: Lord Fief Vassal Knight Serf Manor Tithe

3. Main Idea Feudalism in Europe was a system of political alliances and protective military relationships. The rights and duties of feudal relationships helped shape today’s forms of representative government.

4. New Invasions Trouble Western Europe Carolingian Empire destroyed between 800-1000. Muslims seize Sicily and raid Italy, they sack Rome in 846. Magyar invaders attack Italy and Germany. Vikings attack the south.

5. Vikings: Raiders, Traders, and Explorers Norsemen – Germanic people from Scandinavia. They worship warlike gods. Nicknames: Eric Bloodaxe Thorfinn Skullsplitter

6. Vikings Strike fast and retreat to sea. Largest warships held 300, used 72 oars. Ships might weigh 20 tons, but could sail in 3 feet of water.

15. Vikings Not just warriors, but farmers and explorers. Down rivers to central Russia. To Constantinople. Across the North Atlantic.

16. Leif Ericson Reached North America around 1000. 500 years before Columbus. Son of Erik the Red.

17. Viking terror fades as….. Vikings accept Christianity. Warming trend in Europe makes farming in Scandinavia easier. Agricultural settlements in Greenland and Iceland prosper.

18. Magyars Nomadic people from what is now Hungary. Superb Horsemen. Invade western Europe in the 800s They capture people to sell as slaves. They DON’T settle conquered lands.

19. Muslims Struck form the south. Controlled the Mediterranean, disrupted trade. Tried to conquer and settle Europe in the 600s and 700s. Excellent sailors, they attacked as far inland as Switzerland.

20. Result of Invasions: Europeans live in constant danger. Central authority proved powerless. People look to local leaders with their own armies. Strong local leaders gain followers and political strength.

21. Feudalism Structures Society In 911, former enemies meet in a peace ceremony Rollo - a Viking chief And Charles the Simple – King of France.

22. Details of the Peace Charles grants Rollo a large section of France. It becomes known as Northmen’s land, or Normandy. Rollo swears a pledge of loyalty.

23. Roland swears fealty to Charlemagne.

24. A New Social Order Feudalism – a system based on mutual obligations. Lord = landowner who grants land. Fief = land granted by a lord. Vassal = receives the fief from the lord in exchange for loyalty and military service to the lord.

25. The Feudal Pyramid King Most powerful vassals Nobles and Bishops (wealthy landowners) Knights – mounted warriors Landless peasants who work in the fields.

27. Feudalism Often got complex A noble might be vassal to several different lords.

28. Social Classes Well Defined People classed into 3 groups: Those who fought - Nobles and Knights. Those who prayed – Men and women of the Church. Those who worked – Peasants.

29. Serfs People who could not lawfully leave the place where they were born. The vast majority of people in Europe during the Middle Ages were serfs. They are bound to the land, but are not slaves. They could not be bought or sold by the lord.

31. Manors The lord’s estate. Lords provide serfs with housing, strips of farmland and protection from bandits. Serfs tend the land, care for animals, and maintained the estate. Serf women work with their husbands. Serfs owe their labor and a part of their grain to the lord.

33. Manor Life Peasants rarely traveled more than 25 miles. Manors consist of: Manor house Church Workshops 15 - 30 families. Fields, pastures, and forest surround the village. Streams and ponds provide fish.

37. Manor Life A self-sufficient community. Serfs produce: Crops Fuel Cloth Leather Goods Lumber

38. Manor Life Peasants pay a taxes To live on the lord’s land. On grain ground at the lord’s mill. On marriage. Tithes to the Church were collected after taxes were paid. Tithes are one-tenth of income.

39. Serf Life Live in crowded cottages with one or two rooms. Warm their dirt-floor house by bringing pigs inside. Slept on piles of straw. Diet consisted of vegetables, coarse bread, grain, cheese, and soup.