Download Feudalism Handout - John Bowne High School

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Date: __________
Feudalism Handout
Feudalism Structures Society
From about 800 to 1000, invasions destroyed Charlemagne’s empire.
The worst years of the invaders’ attacks spanned roughly 850 to 950.
During this time, rulers and warriors like made agreements in many
parts of Europe. The system of governing and landholding, called
feudalism, had emerged in Europe. A similar feudal system existed in
China under the Zhou Dynasty. Feudalism in Japan began in A.D.
1192 and ended in the 19th century.
The feudal system was based on rights and obligations. In exchange
for military protection and other services, a lord, or landowner, granted
land called a fief. The person receiving a fief was called a vassal.
Feudalism depended on the control of land.
The Feudal Pyramid
The structure of feudal society was much like a pyramid. At the peak
reigned the king. Next came the most powerful vassals—wealthy
landowners such as nobles and bishops. Serving beneath these
vassals were knights. Knights were mounted horsemen who pledged
to defend their lords’ lands in exchange for fiefs. At the base of the
pyramid were landless peasants who toiled in the fields
1. What obligations did a peasant
have to the lord of the manor?
2. What were the three social
classes of the feudal system?
3. How were peasants different
from serfs?
Social Classes Are Well Defined
In the feudal system, status determined a per- son’s prestige and power. Medieval writers
classified people into three groups: those who fought (nobles and knights), those who prayed (men
and women of the Church), and those who worked (the peasants). Social class was usually
inherited.
In Europe in the Middle Ages, the vast majority of people were peasants. Most peasants were
serfs. Serfs were people who could not lawfully leave the place where they were born. Though
bound to the land, serfs were not slaves. Their lords could not sell or buy them. But what their labor
produced belonged to the lord.
Directions: Use the reading to complete the Feudal pyramid. Write a description under each social
class and list their obligations, rights, or privileges.
Directions: Read the following selections and determine which social class the person
belonged to during the feudal period in western Europe.
1. ________________________________
I own more land than I can defend or rule so I have powerful nobles to serve and defend
my kingdom. For these services I give my nobles some of my land. This land is called a
feud. From feud we get the name feudal system, a political system of based on land.
2.__________________________________
I live in a stone castle that I built to protect myself from attacks against my enemies. I am
the real ruler of the kingdom. All the people who live on my land or manor (a large estate
or farm) obey my laws rather than those of the distant king.
3.____________________________________
I am a noble's son who was trained as a soldier. When I was seven, I was sent to another
noble's castle to serve as a page where I ran errands and I waited tables. When I was
fourteen, I became a squire. I served a knight, taking care of his horses, weapons and
armors. When I am not at war, I live on the manor and do all thee work in the castle and
help defend it. We are also bound by the code of chivalry, which is a code of behavior that
stresses loyalty and honor.
4.___________________________________
I live and work on the land that belongs to my noble. I am treated slightly better than a
slave. My lord cannot sell me or give me to anyone else, but I am not free. I have to stay
on the land all my life, no matter which lord owns the land. My job is to farm my noble's
land, bake his bread, repair the castle walls, take care of his weapons, make his clothing,
and do many jobs around the castle. In return for my services I am given a small strip of
land which I can raise my own food and livestock. I must give a share of my own crops and
animals to my noble. I am also given protection, which is extremely important in these
times of chaos.