1. Feudalism in Europe

2. Introduction
After the Treaty of Verdun, Charlemagne’s three grandsons broke up his kingdom
This territory became a battleground as new waves of invaders attacked Europe
This political turmoil and warfare led to the rise of European Feudalism
A political and economic system based on land ownership and personal loyalty

3. A New Social Order
In 911 AD, two former enemies faced each other in a peace ceremony
Rollo, the leader of the Vikings, and Charles the Simple, the King of France
Charles granted the Viking leader a huge piece of French territory
In return, the Vikings swore a pledge of loyalty to the King of France

5. Feudalism Structures Society
The worst years of invaders’ attacks occurred between 850 and 950
During this time, ruler and warriors made similar agreements as Charles
The feudal system is based on rights and obligations
In exchange for military protection, the lord grants land called a fief
The person receiving the fief is called a vassal

6. The Feudal Pyramid The structure of Feudal society is like a pyramid
At the top is a king
Next came the vassals who were commonly known as nobles and bishops
Then came the Knights – mounted horsemen
At the bottom were the peasants
The majority of peasants were serfs – these were people who were bound to the land they were born on but were not slaves

7. The Manorial System The manor was the Lord’s estate
The manor system rested in the rights and obligations between a lord and his serfs
The lord provided:
Housing
Farmland
Protection from invaders

8. The manor covered only a few square miles of land
In return, serfs:
Tended the Lord’s land
Cared for his animals
Performed other tasks that maintained the estate
The manor covered only a few
square miles of land
Was a self-sufficient community

9. A Harsh Life
For the privilege of living on the Lord’s land, peasants paid a high price
They paid taxes on marriage and they had to pay a tithe to the priests
Serfs lived in crowded villages usually with 2 rooms, one for cooking and family gatherings, and the other was a family bedroom
They had a simple diet of vegetables, bread, and soup

10. Serfs’ days revolved around work
They raised crops and livestock and took care of their families
Many children did not survive to adulthood
Illness and malnutrition were constant
The average life expectancy was 35