Feudalism 2 16i4o

The Middle Ages Feudalism Manor System

Medieval Society • Kings and Queens • Rulers

• Nobility • Lords and Knights • Controlled the land

• Clergy • Church officials

• Peasants • Majority of the population • Worked the land and served the nobles

Feudalism • Political and social system based on the granting of land in exchange for loyalty, military assistance, and other services

Feudalism • Developed as a result of frequent invasions in western Europe • Kings and nobles needed a way to protect their lands

Feudalism • Lords divided their lands into estates called fiefs • Fiefs (land) given to vassals – A person granted land in return for loyalty or military service

• All nobles were vassals to the king

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

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Feudal Obligations • Provide military service • Remain loyal and faithful • Give money on special occasions

• Give Land • Protect from attack • Resolve disputes between knights

Constructing the Pyramid Feudal Power

SERFS AND FREEMEN 9

Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power

LESSER NOBLES (KNIGHTS) LABOR

PROTECTION

SERFS AND FREEMEN 10

Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power

POWERFUL NOBLES LAND AND PROTECTION

LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE

LESSER NOBLES (KNIGHTS) LABOR

PROTECTION

SERFS AND FREEMEN 11

Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power KING LOYALTY AND SERVICE

LAND

POWERFUL NOBLES LAND AND PROTECTION

LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE

LESSER NOBLES (KNIGHTS) LABOR

PROTECTION

SERFS AND FREEMEN 12

Closure • Explain why feudalism developed in western Europe. • What was a knight’s obligation to the lord? • What was the lord’s obligation to the knight?

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

Manorial System • Manors were self sufficient

– Most things needed for daily life were produced on the manor

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Manorial System • 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

Manorial System • 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

Manorial System • 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

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

Manorial System Let’s see how much you !

1) Everyone owed loyalty to the ________ 2) Nobles were near the top of the social hierarchy . They got _______ from the king. 3) Lesser nobles (knights) gave _________ _________ in return for land 4) _______ were bound to the land. They worked in return for ____________. 5) __________ were skilled workers. They paid rent to the ______ and were free to move if they wanted to. 21

Check Your Answers 1) Everyone owed loyalty to the king. 2) Nobles were near the top of the social hierarchy. They got land from the king. 3) Lesser nobles (knights) gave military service in return for land. 4) Serfs were bound to the land. They worked in return for protection. 5) Freemen were skilled workers. They paid rent to the nobles and were free to move if they wanted to.

Closure • What was the Manorial System • How were manors self sufficient? • Explain why feudalism developed in western Europe.