1. Stabilizing Medieval Europe, 700-1000

2. Stabilizing Medieval Europe
New Economic order:
Feudalism
Manorialism
The Role of the Catholic Church
Regulating Marriage
Regulating Sexuality
Blessing Secular Rulers

3. Medieval Manor Evolved from Latifundium and Need for Protection

4. Castle: Fortification

5. Manor House: Fortification + Wealth

6. Peasant House

7. Peasant House

8. Feudalism and Medieval Households
The Three Categories of Society:
Those Who Work: Peasants or Serfs
Those Who Fight: Knights
Those Who Pray: Clergy & Religious
Feudalism: An Economic System
a set of social relations based upon protection through service

9. Characteristics of Feudalism
Ancient slavery ends as a labor system
An economic system which does not require cash exchange or extensive markets
People bound together in terms of obligations and terms of service
loyalty, homage and fealty govern relationships between lord and vassal, peasant and lord

10. Patterns... 25-50 peasant families support one knight
90% of the population are peasants
Peasants owe 3 days/wk of service + fees to lord. Fees are required : to marry, to inherit
Knights owe 40 days/year service to lord to fight and must supply armaments, horses, etc.

11. Patterns, cont. Farm output is about 10% of today’s midwestern farm.
Peasants (serfs, not slaves) are bound to land but have rights to the land
Manors are economic and military units, with fortifications for defense (a castle), may also be controlled by monastic order or church.

12. Catholic Church
Regulates Sexuality through confession: see handout on the “penitentials.”
Organizes marriage by enforcing rules of monogamy and exogamy