1. Unit 8 The Early Middle Ages
Day 2 – Standard 9b
Feudalism & the Manor System

2. Learning Objectives
Obtain an understanding of Feudalism & the Manor System.
Learn how Feudalism & the Manor System work, and how it affected the social, political, and economic systems of the Early Middle Ages.

3. Feudalism and Manorial System

4. Feudal Society and Manorial System (9b)
During the Middle ages people had little protection against invasion, so they entered into feudal agreements with land-holding lords who promised them protection
Repeated invasions over hundreds of years shattered Roman protection over the empire
Feudal society developed in response to the need for protection from outside invasions

5. Feudal system was based on mutual obligations - people got protection for their services (work)
Feudal society consisted of:
Monarch – (King/Queen) was at the top of Feudal Society. They control all the land in the Kingdom.
Lords – The Monarch broke up their kingdom and gave each section of land to a Lord/Nobel. The lord owed his allegiance and his knights to the king.
Fief: The lord then broke his land into smaller portions known as Fiefs. The lord then gave this out to his vassals.
Vassal: person that received a fief and now owes an obligation. Some were knights, some had other jobs. Knights are vassals to the lords and lords are vassals to the king.
Knights – Mounted warriors that fought for their lord.
Serfs: peasant bound to work on a manor

6. Majority of people were peasants and most were serfs
Serfs could not lawfully leave place where they were born
Though bound to the land, they were not slaves; their lords could not buy or sell them
Wealthiest were the Monarch, then nobles and bishops, and then knights

7. Feudal obligations Lords (landowners) granted fiefs to vassals
In exchange, the vassals pledged their loyalty, military service and protection of the people that lived on the land

8. Manorial System During Middle Ages (9b)
Manorial system was basic economic arrangement during Middle Ages
It was based on a set of rights and obligations between a lord and his serfs
Feudalism was the political system, Manor System was the economic system.
Manor was a large estate that had everything necessary for life.
The dark ages caused many cities and towns to collapse.
Characteristics of most manors
Rigid class structure with inherited social classes
Warriors: nobles and knights;
Church people: men and women of the Church
Workers: peasants

9. Harsh life for peasants
Self-sufficient
Lord provided protection, home, & land
Serfs & peasants raised everything for daily life
Manors consisting of the lord’s manor house, a church and workshops
Harsh life for peasants
Paid heavy taxes, needed lord’s permission to marry, and paid a tithe to village priest

10. Feudal Society