1. The Middle Ages

2. The beginning of the Middle Ages (AKA Dark Ages)
Fall of Rome –
No central power to provide order
Many Peoples invaded the area
Social and Economic Chaos
Loss of education, literacy
Trade Declined
Cities were abandoned
Moved to towns, villages

4. Rebuilding Society Feudalism (political system)
Manor system (economic system)
Rebuilt Trade and Infrastructure

5. Feudalism
Form of government based on exchange of land for protection and services

6. Feudalism Hierarchy- Descending power and authority
Social Class system-
Inherited
Well defined
Investiture-
Loyalty and Service secured by Oath (contract)

7. Feudal Class System
Lords – Nobles that were given lands by king to maintain in return for service
(Landlords)
Knights- Lesser Nobles that were also given lands to maintain in return for service
Serf- Worked the land and could not leave
(Indentured)
Peasants- Worked the land but could leave (Freemen)

8. How Feudalism Works
King or Nobel gives control of a piece of land (Fief) to another Nobel (Vassal) in return for service and taxes
Fief- is a piece of land given to a vassal by a lord to manage and protect.
Vassal- Anyone who pledged their loyalty and service to another in return for a grant of land.
Nobles can then divide up land further to other Nobles (Knights) or peasants/surfs in return for service and taxes

9. Vassals Most noble vassals were knights: Professional horse soldiers
Vassals provided military service and paid taxes to lords
Mostly taxes were paid in crops
Ultimately everyone was a vassal of the king

10. Feudal Structure

11. Feudal Structure

12. Feudal Structure

13. Feudal Structure

14. Manor system Basic economic arrangement within Feudalism
Revolved around the manor or large estate of the lord
Based on set of rights and obligations between serfs and lords

15. Manor system Lords protected land Peasants farmed the fields
Serfs were legally tied to the land

16. Manors: Self-Sufficient Community
Manor Had:
Fortified house/castle
Village
Fields for crops
Pasture for animals
Church
Mill to grind grain
Blacksmith.

18. Growth of Towns People in Towns Asked for Charters
Written documents assuring rights
Formalized relationship to lord
Merchants set up Headquarters in towns
Middle class began to grow (Between Peasants and Nobles)

19. Trade Guilds Association of merchants and artisans that governed town
Controlled prices/wages in town
Set standards
Regulated Trade
Trained Members
Apprentice
Journeyman
Master (Join Guild)

20. Economic Changes Regained Control of Mediterranean Rebuilt Roman Roads
Trade system re-created
Trade Fairs
Meet for several weeks to trade each year
Business grew to support