1. Part II: The Feudal Society
Life in the Middle Ages
Part II: The Feudal Society

2. Video: Religion in the Middle Ages
Look for’s:
Stained glass
Monks
cathedrals

3. Feudalism
System of Lord and Vassal existed from roughly the 9th to the 13th century
Feudal System: a king or noble made a land grant (‘fief’) to knights in return for military service
3 Aspects to Feudalism:
1. Social:
determined each persons place,
rights, and responsibilities in society
Political:
ensured protection for all people of a territory
Economical:
- regulated distribution of land, and therefore of wealth
knights became nobility/barons, and powerful nobles could become lords
below the lowest knights were the commoners or peasants
peasants - eventually called ‘serfs’ - became legally bound to their lord’s estate

4. Manor Life Major components: Lord’s castle or manor house
everyday Feudal life revolved around the manor
Major components:
Lord’s castle or manor house
fields for crops and grazing pastures
barn and stable
cottages for peasants
church
mill and blacksmith’s shop
average 400 ha in size

5. Medieval Education
learning of Classical Greece and Rome lost in the Dark Ages (Early Middle Ages)
no schools (few within the church)
most people illiterate
changes by Middle to Late Middle Ages (9th - to 15th centuries)
Charlemagne’s impact
‘Renaissance of learning’
Universities by 12th C. (Paris and Bolougne were the 1st)
monks begin practice of copying ancient Greek and Latin manuscripts by hand - ‘Illuminated Manuscripts’

6. Political Developments: The Magna Carta
“Great Charter” – 1215 C.E.
listed rights of nobles and the king’s responsibilities and privileges in governing
could not set new taxes without consulting Great Council (made up of Lords and clergy)
King had to obey laws like subjects did
rights of common people and church recognized
rights granted to nobles were extended to all citizens over time
King John