1. Origins, Feudalism, and the Manor System
The Middle Ages
Origins, Feudalism, and the Manor System

2. Origins
Middle Ages - Period in European history that came between ancient and modern times.
Began with the fall of Western Rome and ended with Renaissance
Life in the middle ages was unstable and chaotic
lasted from about 500 AD to about 1500 AD
Christianity was important in the Middle Ages

3. Western Roman Empire Western Empire fell apart into separate kingdoms
Roman Empire was reunited by its new Emperor Charlemagne in 800 AD
He pushed for increased education and the spread of Christianity
The Empire fell again after Charlemagne death in 814 AD
They were attacked by multiple invaders including Muslims and Vikings

4. Feudalism
Feudalism developed as kings tried to protect their kingdoms from invasion
Feudalism-a rigid social hierarchy (think Hinduism) where a vassal served a lord and received protection and land
Your class of citizen was determined by your birth
In Feudalism LAND = Power

5. Feudalism Model King/Queen –All land belong to the king
Lords/Nobles-given fiefs by the King for money and military support (knights)
Fiefs-large pieces of land
Vassals/Knights-got smaller fiefs from lords in exchange for military protection
Peasants (serfs)- people who worked the farm land
not slaves but could not leave land without permission
Got a piece of land to farm for themselves
Got protection from outside invaders
Provided food and other services when the Vassals/Knights demanded

6. Nation-State
Nation-State-self-governing countries made up of people with a common cultural background.
Developed from kingdoms who banded (united) together for military purposes
Nation states spread all over Europe

7. Manor System How it worked
 Lords allowed peasants/serfs to farm land on their large fiefs called a Manor
Serfs paid for land (rent) by giving food or other resources
Serfs got protection from invaders for working the land
Serfs could not sell land