Download Feudalisim

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“Life in 999” ends with the statement that
medieval Europe was “the Third World of its
age.” What is the author trying to say with that
choice of words?
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The decline of the Roman Empire ushered in the
Middle Ages (medieval period, 500-1500 A.D.)
Roots in:
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Classical heritage of Rome
Beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church
Customs of various Germanic tribes
Characteristics:
Trade disrupted
 Downfall of cities
 Population shift to countryside
 Decline of learning
 Loss of a common language

KING
LOYALTY AND
SERVICE
LAND
NOBLES (LORDS)
CHURCH OFFICIALS
LAND AND
PROTECTION
GIVE MILITARY
SERVICE AND
FAITHFULLNESS
KNIGHTS
LABOR
PROTECTION
PEASANTS, SERFS AND FREEMEN
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Feudalism-The POLITICAL system of governing and
landholding, based on rights and obligations
Lord – wealthy noble who gave land to vassals
Fief- land granted by a lord in exchange for military and
other services
Vassal- wealthy land owners(nobles, bishops, knights
etc.) receiving the fief
Knights- mounted horsemen who pledged to defend their
lords’ lands in exchange for fiefs
Serfs- (mostly peasants) people who by law could not
leave the place that they were born
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Even though they were bound by land, serfs were not slaves
Could not be bought or sold by their lords
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The relationship
between lords and
vassals made up a big
part of the political and
social structure of the
feudal system
Vassals had certain
duties to perform for
the lord
All nobles were
ultimately vassals of
the king.
LORDS
GIVE
SERVICE
TO
GIVE
PROTECTION TO
VASSALS
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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
Age to become a knight was usually 21
Those deemed worthy were “dubbed” knights
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There were two groups of peasant workers on
the manor
Freemen- skilled workers who paid rent and
could leave the manor whenever they wished.
(They usually had a skill needed by others on
the manor.)
Serfs – workers bound to the land by contract
with the nobles. (They had no freedom - they
were the noble’s property.)
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There were three main social classes
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Those who fought (nobles and knights)
Those who prayed (men and women of the church)
Those who worked (the peasants)
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Inferior to men
Noblewomen
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Could inherit estate
Could send knights to war when husband was gone
Generally confined to activities at home or the
convent
Held little property as lords passed fiefs to sons
Peasant Women
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Endless labor in the fields, bore children, took care of
families
Very poor but economic contribution was necessary