1. Feudalism in Europe
Feudalism, a political and economic system based on land-holding and protective alliances, emerges in Europe

3. So, Last Time…
After Treaty of Verdun in 843, there was instability in Europe. As a result invaders come from the north, the south, and the east ( AD)

4. Vikings!!! From Scandinavia Denmark, Norway, Sweden
Viking long ships sail in shallow water
Raided towns, churches and monasteries
Great names:
Eric the Victorious
Ivar the Boneless
William the Conqueror
Eric Bloodaxe
Thorfinn Skullsplitter

5. More Vikings!!! Also called Northmen or Norsemen Germanic peoples
Traders, farmers, and explorers
Ships made of wood
When Viking leaders died, it was customary to bury them with their ships and household goods.

6. More Vikings!!!
8th c. dark red, 9th c. red, 10th c. orange, 11th c. yellow, green-frequent raids
Stopped raiding after becoming Christian and as a warming trend in Europe made farming easier in Scandinavia

7. Viking Helmets
Vikings did NOT wear horned helmets.

8. Leif Ericson
“He was tall and strong and very impressive in appearance. He was a shrewd man and always moderate in behavior.”
Son of Eric the Red
Leif sailed to Newfoundland
Did he “discover” America?

10. Attack!!!
From the East: Magyars (Turkish and Hungarian nomads) invade western Europe in late 800s
From the South: Muslims strike from Africa
From the North: Vikings
Protection needed and feudalism was born

11. Feudalism Feudalism Structures Society:
850 to 950, feudalism emerges—political system based on land control
A lord (landowner) gives fiefs (land grants) in exchange for services (military service and food)
Vassals – people who receive fiefs

12. The Feudal Pyramid
Kings served by nobles or lords who are served by knights; peasants at bottom
Knights—horsemen-defend their lord’s land in exchange for fiefs

14. Social Classes
Medieval feudal system classifies people into three social groups
Fighters: nobles and knights
Prayers: monks, nuns, clergy
Workers: peasants (90% of the people)

15. Social Classes Social class is usually inherited
Most peasant are serfs (bound to the land)
Serfs aren’t slaves, but whatever they produce belongs to their lord.

17. Manors The Lord’s Estate The manor has an economic system
Serfs and free peasants maintain the lord’s estate, give grain
The lord provides housing, farmland, protection from bandits

18. Their Own Little Worlds
Medieval manors include lord’s house, church, workshops, village, pond
Manors cover a few square miles of land, are largely self-sufficient ( acres)

20. Manor Life – Not so Fun Peasants pay taxes to everyone Mill, bakery
Tithe - church tax
Serfs live in crowded cottages with dirt floors, straw for beds
Mud and thatch huts
Daily grind of raising crops, livestock; feeding and clothing family
Poor diet, illness, malnutrition make life expectancy 35 years
Serfs generally accept their lives as part of God’s plan