1. Life in Medieval Europe: A look at Life and the Feudal Hierarchy 8 th Grade Social Studies

2. WHY WAS FEUDALISM NECESSARY?

3. A New Order Feudalism Overview A political and economic system –large landholders gave protection to people for their service (mostly farm labor) Filled two needs –Peoples need for protection –Landowners need for defense Lasted in some areas of Europe until around 1450 Hierarchies - orders of authority –developed between different classes

4. The Feudal Hierarchy Monarch Lords Vassal Knight Guildsmen/Craftsmen Peasants/Serfs either a king or a queen which was typically in power based on lineage powerful noblemen and women who owned large tracts of land a person who is given a manor from a lord or king a specially trained soldier who fights for a lord and vassal men who learned from a relative how to produce a particular good for the manor poor farmers who work the manor’s farmland in exchange for protection

5. The Feudal Hierarchy Freeman (Guildsman/Craftsman) Serfs/Peasants

6. The Feudal Hierarchy Vassals Knights LABORPROTECTION Freeman (Guildsman/Craftsman) Serfs/Peasants

7. The Feudal Hierarchy Vassals Knights LABORPROTECTION Lords Freeman (Guildsman/Craftsman) Serfs/Peasants LAND AND PROTECTION LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE

8. The Feudal Hierarchy Vassals Knights LABORPROTECTION Lords Monarch Freeman (Guildsman/Craftsman) Serfs/Peasants LAND AND PROTECTION LAND LOYALTY AND SERVICE LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE

9. The Monarch Monarch at their most powerful during the late middle- ages (about 800ad- 1700ad) was a king or queen who ruled over a strong central government considered god-like in their kingdom

10. Lords were most powerful during the early middle ages (500 ad-800 ad) owned hundreds to thousands of acres know as fiefs Fiefs: –large tracts of land –granted by the monarch or stronger lord gained wealth through rent, taxes, services and food from craftsmen and serfs lived lavishly in his castle met regularly with his court to discuss issues around the fief

11. Lady dealt with the management of crops, animals and property ruled over hundreds of employees and servants served the manor as a nurse since doctors and surgeons were few and far between

12. Vassals “Lord’s subjects “ former knights who were rewarded for their service and given manors each manor contained a smaller castle and the ability to thwart enemy attacks with certain defenses

13. Homage and the Oath of Fealty Homage Oath of Fealty a vassal's public honor of allegiance to a lord promise to remain loyal to a lord Vassal’s were expected to pay homage through the Oath of Fealty to the lord and lady Vassals also promised to raise an army to protect the lord or lady in times of trouble

14. Feudal Contract LORDS VASSALS GIVE PROTECTION TO GIVE SERVICE TO

15. Knights specially trained armed mounted soldiers who give military service to both their lords and vassals were given all the same rights and privileges as lords

16. Craftsmen people that worked in each manor producing goods for the manor’s self-sufficiency had special skills so their work was in high demand many lived in wooden homes and had enough income to support their family

17. Serfs owned no land to pass on to future generations lived in mud and stone huts, (sometimes wood and stone homes) gave most of their harvests to their vassal or Church Men: typically worked the land or were called to fight Women: produced food and clothing for their own household

18. Comparing Serfs to Lords Serfs Ate eggs, bread, poultry, some meat, and vegetables Wore wool and animal skin clothes Benefited from their beasts of burden, selling some crops, and bartering what little they had Lords Ate meat, game, fish, pastries, spices, and vegetables Wore wool, silk, and linen clothes Acquired wealth from rent, taxes, services and products from their fief, and the prizes of conquest.

19. Quick Write #6 How did the Feudal Hierarchy and it’s protection work? After taking notes, describe in order of rank the people and their jobs, and explain why paying homage and taking the Oath of Fealty were important parts of the manor's protection?