Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
“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? The decline of the Roman Empire ushered in the Middle Ages (medieval period, 500-1500 A.D.) Roots in: 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 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 Even though they were bound by land, serfs were not slaves Could not be bought or sold by their lords 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 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 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.) There were three main social classes Those who fought (nobles and knights) Those who prayed (men and women of the church) Those who worked (the peasants) Inferior to men Noblewomen 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 Endless labor in the fields, bore children, took care of families Very poor but economic contribution was necessary