1. Feudalism

2. The Empire crumbles Invaders destroy the empire 800 to 100 C.E.
Vikings from North (Scandinavia)
Magyars
Nomads from the East
Muslims
From the South

3. Feudalism begins
Viking leader Rollo pledges loyalty to the king of France Charles the Simple
Began in China under Zhou Dynasty
Based on rights and obligations

4. How it worked Lord granted land (fief) to a vassal Charles to Rollo
Peak was the King who granted land to nobles and bishops
Nobles/Bishops give land to knights in exchange for protection
Nobles or knights would have peasants work the land in exchange for housing or food

5. Noble/Church Official
Hierarchy
King
Noble/Church Official
Knights
Peasants

6. Social classes Medieval writers described well defined social classes
Those who fought (knights and nobles)
Those who prayed (monks and nuns)
Those who worked (peasants)
Most peasants were serfs
Tied to the land but not slaves
These classes were normally inherited and hard to move out of

7. Economics of Feudalism
Manor was the lord’s estate
Lord provided serfs with housing and protection in return for the serf’s manual labor
Self-sufficient community
Peasant paid lord in labor, grain, and taxes
Also paid the church a tithe (1/10 of income)
Believed god determined your lot in life

8. Simulation We are going to demonstrate feudalism with skittles
I am going to come around and you will pick your role out of the bag
Afterwards, we will distribute cups
DO NOT EAT THE SKITTLES UNTIL INSTRUCTED
Do not talk or disrupt during the activity. If you do so I will collect your cup and you will not be allowed to participate