1. Feudalism and Manorialism
In this lesson, students will be able to define and explain the following terms:
Feudalism
Manorialism
Lords
Vassals
Serfs
Fiefs
E. Napp

2. The fall of Rome
in 476 A.D. altered
the map of Europe.
The once great
empire was
replaced by
hundreds of little
kingdoms.

3. Collapse of Central Government
During the Roman Empire, there was a central government. It made laws and had armies to protect people.
However, with the fall of Rome, the central government collapsed.
Hundreds of little kingdoms governed in its place.

4. After the fall of Rome, the empire was
divided among the various Barbarian tribes.

5. Increased Warfare
The new kingdoms frequently fought in an attempt to acquire more land.
This increased fighting frightened people and encouraged people to think of new ways of protecting themselves.
New political and economic systems developed.

6. The
Early
Middle
Ages
was a
dangerous
time.

7. Peasants Needed Protection
Peasants were frightened.
They turned to landowners for protection.
Peasants offered their labor in exchange for protection.
These peasants were called serfs.

8. It was a dangerous
time to be a
peasant. Poor
people turned
to rich landowners
with armies for
protection.

9. Serfs A serf was “bound to the land.”
He could not leave his lord’s land.
He was not a slave because he could not be sold.
But he was not free because he could not leave.

10. Lords gave land to lesser lords called vassals. A vassal had to obey
People who owned land
were called lords.
Lords gave land to lesser
lords called vassals.
A vassal had to obey
his lord and give military
service and loyalty to
his lord.

11. Feudalism
Feudalism was the political and military system of the Middle Ages.
In a feudal society, land is exchanged for military service and loyalty.
The ownership of land was the basis or power.

12. A fief was all of the
Lord’s land. The
manor was part
of the fief. The
manor was the part
of the fief where
the peasants farmed
and the people lived.

13. Manorialism Manorialism was the economic system of the Middle Ages.
Manorialism is a self-sufficient economy.
Everything that is necessary for life is created on the manor.

14. Questions for Reflection:
Why did peasants need protection after the fall of Rome?
Why were serfs willing to offer their labor to lords?
What was the relationship between lords and vassals?
Define feudalism and manorialism.
How does manorialism differ from our economic system?