Download 10. 13.2 Notes Feudalism

Chapter 13 Section 2
Feudalism and the
Manorial System
Feudalism
900s:
most of Europe was
governed by local lords
This political and social
organization led by these
independent leaders became
known as feudalism
FEUDALISM
KING
LORDS
(Nobles)
KNIGHTS
PEASANTS
(Serfs)
Feudalism
A
noble grants land to a lesser
noble
–In return gets loyalty, military
assistance, and other services
 Fief:
grant of land given by a lord
 Vassal: person who receives grant
 The vassal could divide his land
and give to knights
–then the vassal becomes a lord
 Primogeniture:
the system of
inheritance from father to oldest
son
 Women: receive land in a dowry
–remains the property of her husband
 Lords:
vassals to the king
 Medieval church also practiced
feudalism
–granted fiefs in return for military
protection and service
Manorial System
 Economic
system: large farming
estates that included manor
houses, cultivated lands,
woodlands, pastures, fields, and
villages
 Self sufficient societies:
–food, clothing, and shelter
 Peasants:
-worked the land -shared crops,
-provided services -paid taxes to the lord
Manorial System
 Located along a
stream or river for
water power
 Houses surround the
castle for safety
 The village,
cultivated fields,
pastures, and forests
make up the outer
area
Peasant Life
*Serfs- peasants;
could not leave
the land w/o the
lord’s permission
*Work: Grueling
and Harsh
*Meals: Meager
*Short life
expectancies
Castles
 Fortified
base for the lord to protect
the surrounding country side
 Structures made of earth, wood and
stone.
 Usually built on hills
– If on flat land a moat was built
 The
“keep”: a strong tower with
workshops, barracks and lord’s living
quarters.
Feudal Justice
 Trial
by battle- a duel between
accuser and accused
– determined guilt or innocence
 Compurgation-
supporters swear that
their person was telling the truth
 Trial by ordeal- accused had to either
– carry a piece of hot iron
– plunge his hand in a pot of boiling water
– survive extended immersion in cold
water
Warfare
 Knights wore
armor in
battle and were
heavily armed
 Chain mail: small
interlocking metal
links
 Iron helmets, a sword,
large shield, and a
lance
Chivalry
A
system of rules that dictated
knights’ behavior towards others
 Young boys work as pages/squires
under a knight
–Learn knightly manners and care for
weapons
–Takes care of the knight’s horse,
armor, and weapons
 Squire
proves himself in battle =
becomes a knight
Code of Chivalry
 Be
courageous in battle
 Loyal to friends and keep his
word
 Courteous to women
and the less powerful
 Required
to extend courtesy only
to his own class
Coat of Arms (Heraldry)
A
graphic symbol that identified a
knight
–Represented his personal
characteristics in battle
 Painted
or stitched onto the
knight’s shield, his outer coat, or
his horse’s trappings
 Passed through the generations
Royal Spanish Coat of Arms
Prince Charles of Wales
City of Pittsburgh