1. The middle ages
Aka the dark ages
500 to 1550CE

2. The Middle Ages or Medieval Period
( 500 CE CE.)
Rise of
New
Kingdoms/States that are not united
Byzantine Empire spreads the Christian
religion. Nearly everyone in Europe is Roman Catholic. Church officials known as the Clergy.
New Kingdoms are unable to protect themselves from
Barbarian
Invasions, causing a need for localized Protection
Barbarian Invasions along with other things cause the
fall of the Roman Empire
The
Rise of Feudalism in Europe

3. Characteristics of medieval times
Feudal System: a political and social system in which less powerful people promise loyalty to more powerful ones in return for protection from invading barbarians and/or Scandinavians (Vikings)
Land was granted in exchange for loyalty, military assistance, and other services

4. Feudalism

5. Feudalism Lords divided their lands into estates called fiefs
Fiefs (land) given to vassals in return for loyalty and military support
anyone who was under the protection of another and therefore owed and declared not only loyalty but a payment of some sort to their protector
All nobles were vassals to the King

6. Kings, Queens, and god
First level of the social structure was the monarch, king or queen, and clergy.
Smallest class of people
Monarch ruled over all of the land, except the church.
Church had the same amount, if not more power than the kings, could remove kings from power
Church represented God on Earth
Only the church could speak to God and only way to get into heaven was through them
Divine right of kings: God chose the King to rule
King gave money to the church
Monarchs usually lived in a castle and governed all of the manors
Manor: a large estate, often including a village and farmlands, ruled by a noble (lord or lady). Often found surrounding a castle

7. Manorial System
An economic system in the Middle Ages that was built around large estates called manors
Included a village and the land surrounding it

8. Manorial System Manors were self sufficient
Most things needed for daily life were produced on the manor

9. What is a Knight? Almost all nobles were knights
Training began at age 7, as a page , under the guidance of the lady of the manor
Became squires at age 15 and were trained by other knights
Those deemed worthy were “dubbed” knights
Almost all nobles were knights
Society made up of three groups – nobles, clergy and peasants
and townspeople
Knight’s training:
Began at age 7 as a page
Under guidance of the lady of the manor
- Taught courtly manners, sometimes reading, music, dancing – all
the necessities of a noble
- Ran errands and served her in return
Also began serving the knights performing simple tasks
Became a squire at age 15 and placed under guidance of a knight
- Taught the skills of knighthood, especially horsemanship and combat skills.
- Followed knight into battle and helped him if he was wounded or fell off his horse
If proven to be a good fighter he was rewarded by being made a knight
- Special ceremony known as dubbing
Knights were expected to follow certain rules known as the code of chivalry
Knights trained for war by fighting each other in tournaments
Most popular form of entertainment during the Middle Ages
Popular event was joust

10. Feudalism Knights Mounted warriors who protected lord’s lands
Given land for their services
Chivalry
Code of ethics followed by knights
Honesty, fairness in battle, loyal, proper treatment of women

11. Peasants and Serfs Serfs
Peasants who lived and worked on the lord’s manor
Were not allowed to leave the manor or marry without the lord’s permission
Were allowed to farm on the manor in return for work
Lords were required to protect the serfs

12. Life of Serfs The life of a serf was harsh Worked long hours
few lived past 35 years old
Based on heredity
You were a serf if you parents were

13. Life of Serf The Harshness of Manor Life
Peasants pay taxes to use mill and bakery; pay a tithe to priest
Tithe—a church tax—is equal to one-tenth of a peasant’s income
Serfs live in crowded cottages with dirt floors, straw for beds
Worked long hours
raising crops, livestock; feeding and clothing family
Poor diet, illness, malnutrition make life expectancy 35 years
Serfs generally accept their lives as part of God’s plan

14. Manorial System Freemen
skilled workers who paid rent to nobles and could leave the manor
Ex. Blacksmith and millers

15. Constructing the Pyramid Feudal Power
SERFS AND FREEMEN

16. Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR
AND PAY
TAXES
PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN

17. Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power
POWERFUL
NOBLES
LAND AND
PROTECTION
LOYALTY ,
MILITARY SERVICE
AND MANAGE
SERFS AND
VILLAGERS
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR
PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN

18. Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power
KING
LOYALTY AND
COLLECT
TAXES FOR KING
LAND
POWERFUL
NOBLES
LAND AND
PROTECTION
LOYALTY, MILITARY SERVICE
AND MANAGE THE
SERFS AND VILLAGERS
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR, PAY
TAXES
PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN (Peasants)

19. Anchor Chart A title: Feudalism
You need pictures for each class system and each picture needs to be labeled.
Arrows
A description of what each class system received.
Color