1. Feudalism & Manorialism / The Three Orders of Society
Medieval Europe
Feudalism & Manorialism /
The Three Orders of Society

2. Terms—Medieval Europe
Lord
Vassal
Fief
Liege Lord
Feudal Courts
Act of Homage
Oath of Fealty
Investiture
Feudal Aids (Payments)
Manorialism
Manor
Demesne
Steward
Bailiff
Peasants: Serf, Villein, Freemen
Gleaning
Taille
Chivalry

3. 10th Century Invasions—Muslims, Magyars & Vikings

4. Feudalism
The political system of the Middle Ages

5. Feudalism

6. Feudalism

7. Lord & Vassal

8. Fief Land given to the vassal by the lord.
Owned by lord, but vassal receives income from the land.

9. How It Works Lord: Raises an army & provides protection
Vassal: Provides military service & is rewarded
AND: No stigma attached to being a vassal—everyone is an aristocrat

10. Feudal Hierarchy

11. Feudal Ceremony: Act of Homage

12. Feudal Ceremony: Oath of Fealty

13. Feudal Ceremony: Investiture

14. Manorialism
The economic system of the Middle Ages

15. The Manor

16. The Manor House

17. Who Runs the Manor?
Steward: “Business Manager” – oversees all lord’s manors
Bailiff: Stationed on the land

18. How Was Society Divided?
A three-way society divided by function
Those Who Work: Peasants
Those Who Fight: Nobility
Those Who Pray: Clergy

19. The Three “Estates”

20. Those Who Work: Peasants
Three categories of peasants:
Serf: Least free
Villein: Ancestors were once free
Freemen: Not bound to the land

21. Those Who Work

22. Gleaning

23. The Taille Tax paid to the lord annually
Paid in produce; usually 5 – 10%

24. Those Who Fight: Nobility

25. Chivalry

26. Chivalry

27. Those Who Pray: Clergy