1. Feudalism
SSWH7 The student will analyze European medieval society with regard to culture, politics, society, and economics.
a. Explain the manorial system and feudalism; include the status of peasants and feudal monarchies and the importance of Charlemagne.

2. Charlemagne
600 & 700’s, Frankish kings lost their power to the chief officers of the king’s household = mayor’s of the palace
Pepin assumed the kingship
Pepin’s son became king after his death in 768 = son was Charles the Great – Charlemagne
Charlemagne = one of history’s great kings/ curious, driven, intelligent, strong warrior, devout Christian/ was illiterate, but strongly supported learning
Ruled from 768 to 814/ Expanded the Frankish kingdom into Carolingian empire = covered much of western & central Europe

4. Charlemagne
Charlemagne established missi dominci (messengers of the lord king) two men who were sent to make for sure the kings wishes were followed
800, he was crowned emperor of the Romans/ the coronation symbolized the coming together of the Roman, Christian, & Germanic elements that forged European civilization
Carolingian Renaissance was promoted by Charlemagne desire to promote learning
Benedictine monks played important role in revival of learning

6. Fall of Carolingian empire
Charlemagne died in 814/ by 844 Carolingian empire divided into 3 kingdoms by grandsons
Muslims invaded southern France
Magyars settled on the plains of Hungary

8. Vikings (Norsemen of Scandinavia) attacked the empire
Vikings were superb warriors & shipbuilders/ famed dragon ships carrying about 50 men could go shallow rivers to attack inland
9th century, Vikings settled in Europe
911, Frankish king gave Vikings land of Normandy

9. Feudalism
Invaders posed a threat to the safety of the people due to decentralized government
People began to turn landed aristocrats or nobles for protection/ led to feudalism
Feudalism arose between / similar system in Japan- Samurai
Vassalage = center of feudalism/ came from Germanic society where warriors swore oath to their leader
Vassal = man who served a lord militarily

10. Feudalism: Military
Service for Land

11. Feudalism Knights = heavily armored warriors
Male = armor made of metal links or plates
Frankish army initially set up foot soldiers in mail
Heavily armored knights dominated warfare for over 500 years
Knights had great prestige & formed much of European aristocracy
Early Middle Ages ( ) wealth was based on owning land/very little trade
Nobles gave a piece of land to vassals in exchange for fighting = fief

12. Feudalism
Vassals had political authority in their fief/in charge of keeping order
Feudalism became complicated = kings had vassals who had vassals
Feudal contract = unwritten rules that characterized feudalism/relationship between king & vassal/knights for about days a year
Vassals were to advise the lord, financial obligations to the lord, knighting of his eldest son,
Lord supported the vassal with land grant & protection in military & court

13. Feudal Obligations Vassals: Lords: Military service for 40- 60 days.
Homage.
Serve on the lord’s court.
Gifts for weddings and knighthoods.
Ransom.
Lords:
Protection.
Justice.
Wardship – oversee personal affairs and family if vassal dies in service.

14. Page,
Squire,
Knight

15. Joust

16. Feudalism
Castles = permanent residences & fortresses/#’s increased in high middle ages( )
Middle Ages = nobles dominated European society/ main concern was warfare
Nobles = kings, dukes, counts, barons, bishops, archbishops
Knighthood = united lords & knights in aristocracy
Knights = trained as warriors/ no adult responsibility
Young knights held tournaments to show their skills/ joust became main attraction

19. Feudalism
11th & 12th century, under influence of Church- chivalry became important to knights
Chivalry = civilized behavior, knights were to defend the church & defenseless people, treat captives as honored guests, fight for glory not rewards
Women could own property, but were under control of men/ first their fathers, then their husbands
Lady of the castle in charge of household & estate
Eleanor of Aquitane = married to king Louis VII of France & Henry II of England/ 2 children became kings of England

20. Eleanor