1. Feudalism
Medieval political system where land was grated from Lord to Vassal on the condition that each would fulfill obligations to the other.

2. Why we call it the Dark Ages
Decline of…
Learning
Cities
Common Language
Exploration

3. Feudal Pyramid

4. 3 types of Feudal People Fought = Nobles and Knights
Prayed = Men and Women of the Church
Worked = Peasants (Free or Serfs)

5. Fief…Feeeefffffffff! What is a Fief?
Also called Estate, this was land granted to a Vassal from a Lord. The land was given under the condition that both Lord and Vassal would exchange responsibilities.

6. Vassal Who? Who is a Vassal?
A person who received a grant of land from a lord in exchange for a pledge of loyalty and services.

7. Oh Lord!
What is a Lord?
A person who owned land and who granted Fiefs to Vassals. A Lord can also be a Vassal to more Powerful Lord or King

8. Responsibilities of Lord to Vassal
Give Military Protection
Knowledge
Religious Information
Land
Fief and Peasants
Food
Weapons
Treasure from Battle
Housing

9. Responsibilities of Vassal to Lord
Pledge of Loyalty
Labor (Farm Lords Land)
Tax
Give amount of their fiefs crop to Lord
Pay to use grain mill
Tax on Marriage
Tax on Inheritance
Fight for Lord in battle
40 to 60 days a year
Tithe = 10% of income was paid to local village priest

10. Peasants Freemen Serfs
Paid Lord to farmland
Only worked on their loaned land
They moved and lived where they wanted to.
Most Peasants were Serfs
Serfs can not leave Manor that they were born in
Many Rarely traveled more then 25 miles away from where they were born in lifetime.
Could only marry when Lord gave permission
Though bound to land, not a slave
Can not be sold or bought
By end of Middle Ages, could buy freedom

11. Interesting Facts! Lords became more powerful then Kings
Raised huge Armies and coined money
A Vassal might be a servant to multiple Lords
By 1000 AD, Kingdoms had been divided into thousands of feudal territories.

12. Life on the Feudal Manor
Self sufficient community
15-30 Families Lived in the Community
Serfs, Peasants, and Nobleman lived together.
Daily Life consisted of Farming and church
Serfs and Peasants produced nearly all that everyone needed to live on.
Peasants had no say in Manor laws and government unlike Greek or even Roman Times

13. Feudal Manor

14. Feudal Castle

15. Tower of London, Most Famous Castle in England

16. Knights Warriors that Pledge to defend their Lord for land or Fiefs.
Many times were hired by multiple Lords to fight.
Life long Job started at a very young age.

17. Feudal Wars
Because there were so many Manors, Knights would fight against Knights from other Manors for Land
Knights were Paid Mercenaries or hired soldiers

18. Life of a Knight
Page
Squire
Knight

19. Page childhood till 14 Young Noble
Sent to another lords castle for training
Learned manors and courtly behavior
Studied war through chess and from older knights
Some sword fighting
Main role was to assist ladies of Lord

20. Squire age 14 till 21 Became servant to a knight
Took care of knights armor and weapons
Cared for Knights Horse
Training to fight on horseback
Would have to rescue Knight during battle

21. Knight age 21 and up Earned knighthood Became a Sir
Would be hired by lords to fight in exchange for land

23. Chivalry Set of Ideals Fight Bravely in defense of 3 Lord
Heavenly Lord
Lady
Protect Weak and Poor
Loyal, Brave and courteous

24. A Knight without Chivalry…
“A cowardly knight who disregarded the code of chivalry faced public shame. First, his armor was stripped off, his shield cracked, spurs cut off, sword broken over his head, then he was thrown in a coffin and dragged to church for a mock funeral.”

25. Roles of Medieval Women
Noble Women were called ladies
Once married, husbands had complete control
Most marriages were planed to unite families
Married by 12 years old! Yikes!
If single by 21, always single!

26. Ladies Grab your Sword!
If men were away from the castle, Ladies defended the castle, and dressed in armor, mounted on horseback, and leading the fight!
Main duties were to care for household, supervise others, care for poor and sick.

27. Some one say Tournament?
Knights entered tournaments to…
Test strength
Skill
Endurance
Archery, horse joust, sword fighting and fencing
Winners would get large ransoms from defeated knights
Thought winner of tournament would be a great knight in battle…?