Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Feudalism in Europe
Document related concepts
Transcript
Feudalism in Europe Feudalism, a political and economic system based on land-holding and protective alliances, emerges in Europe So, Last Time… After Treaty of Verdun in 843, there was instability in Europe. As a result invaders come from the north, the south, and the east (8001000 AD) Vikings!!! From Scandinavia Denmark, Norway, Sweden Viking long ships sail in shallow water Raided towns, churches and monasteries Great names: Eric the Victorious Ivar the Boneless William the Conqueror Eric Bloodaxe Thorfinn Skullsplitter More Vikings!!! Also called Northmen or Norsemen Germanic peoples Traders, farmers, and explorers Ships made of wood When Viking leaders died, it was customary to bury them with their ships and household goods. More Vikings!!! 8th c. dark red, 9th c. red, 10th c. orange, 11th c. yellow, green-frequent raids Stopped raiding after becoming Christian and as a warming trend in Europe made farming easier in Scandinavia Viking Helmets Vikings did NOT wear horned helmets. Leif Ericson “He was tall and strong and very impressive in appearance. He was a shrewd man and always moderate in behavior.” Son of Eric the Red Leif sailed to Newfoundland Did he “discover” America? Attack!!! From the East: Magyars (Turkish and Hungarian nomads) invade western Europe in late 800s From the South: Muslims strike from Africa From the North: Vikings Protection needed and feudalism was born Feudalism Feudalism Structures Society: 850 to 950, feudalism emerges—political system based on land control A lord (landowner) gives fiefs (land grants) in exchange for services (military service and food) Vassals – people who receive fiefs The Feudal Pyramid Kings served by nobles or lords who are served by knights; peasants at bottom Knights— horsemen-defend their lord’s land in exchange for fiefs Social Classes Medieval feudal system classifies people into three social groups Fighters: nobles and knights Prayers: monks, nuns, clergy Workers: peasants (90% of the people) Manors The Lord’s Estate The manor has an economic system Serfs and free peasants maintain the lord’s estate, give grain The lord provides housing, farmland, protection from bandits Their Own Little Worlds Medieval manors include lord’s house, church, workshops, village, pond Manors cover a few square miles of land, are largely self-sufficient (350-5000 acres) Manor Life – Not so Fun Peasants pay taxes to everyone Mill Bakery Tithe - church tax Serfs live in crowded cottages with dirt floors, straw for beds Mud and thatch huts Daily grind of 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 The Age of Chivalry Education At age seven, began training as a page in castle Learned courtly manners, chess and sword fighting. Education At age 14 began training as a squire, acting as servant to knight (not all squires became knights) Took care of the knight’s armor, weapons, and horses. He also escorted the knight to battles. Education At 21, usually became knight in an official ceremony Initiation of Knight 1. Ceremonial bath the night before the dubbing. (Act of purification) 2. Beards and heads shaved or only a token lock of hair was removed, an act that symbolized their submission to the will of God. 3. Dressed: new white tunic symbolizing purity; under that a smaller black tunic with black hose and shoes to remind him of death; over this was a red cloak to show his willingness to shed blood; white belt 4. Go to church to spend the night in vigil (thinking about the ceremony the next day and praying). Not allowed to sit but had to stand or kneel throughout the night. 5. Next morning in front of the whole congregation the squire’s sword and arms would be blessed. Given armor. 6. Fully armed, the new knight would kneel to receive the accolade from his sponsor to remind him of the duties. 7. These ceremonies were possible only during times of peace. In times of war, knights were created on the battlefield. Weapons and Equipment Saddles—A knight usually had three saddles (2 for everyday purposes and one for use in battle) Armor—at first chainmail but it rusted and tarnished very quickly Later full armor Helmet—Rarely comfortable Weighed as much as 25 pounds Difficult to hear and talk Weapons and Equipment Sword—Used for slashing rather than thrusting Usually was a 2 edged blade, 32-33 inches long and 2 inches wide weighed about 2 pounds. Pommel was a walnut shaped disc at top of sword—often contained relics that belonged to longdead saints. Morning star-wooded ball studded with sharp spikes and attached to a wooden handle by a chain Weapons and Equipment Dagger Battle axe Shields—Protection but also to identify knights on a battlefield In 700s mounted knights become most important part of an army Siege Weapons Siege towers had a platform on top that lowered like a drawbridge Could support weapons and soldiers Siege Weapons Battering Ram Made of heavy timber with a sharp metal tip Swung like a pendulum to crack castle walls or to knock down drawbridge Siege Weapons Mangonel Flung huge rocks that crashed into castle walls Propelled objects up to a distance of 1,300 feet Not as accurate as trebuchet Objects thrown at lower angle Siege Weapons Trebuchet Worked like a giant slingshot Propelled objects up to a distance of 980 feet Pots of burning lime Boulders Severed human heads Middle school kids Captured soldiers Diseased cows Dead horses Siege Weapons Tortoise Moved slowly on wheels Sheltered soldiers from falling arrows Siege Weapons Mantlet Shielded soldiers A large shield or portable shelter used for stopping arrows or bullets. A mantlet could be mounted on a wheeled carriage and protected one or several soldiers. Fighting Nobles By 1000s nobles are fighting Feudal lords raise private armies of knights Knights rewarded with land Provides income needed for weapons War Games Prepare for real battles by fighting pretend battles Winners could demand large ransoms from the losers Blunted weapons had to be used, but death still happened. No blows could be struck from behind, nor could you strike someone who had lost his helmet Jousting 1. First came the encounter with the lance as the combatants galloped towards each other; Each man aimed to hit his opponent square on the shield in order to unhorse him 2. If a lance was broken, the squire would hand him another one 3. When three lances had been broken, swords were drawn. If there was not a victor, the knights would dismount and continue to fight on foot. The first man to fall on the ground and ask for mercy was the loser. Code of Chivalry Be loyal, brave, and courteous Defend three masters Feudal lord God His lady Protect weak and poor Mock funerals for knights who were cowards on the battlefield Castle Life Lived in and protected home of feudal lords At first were wooden but burning became a problem… Stone castles in 12th century Castle Life cont. Castles designed for protection, not comfort High towers were constructed at each corner of the wall; Towers were rounded off to help deflect missiles. Doors made of solid wood and bolted by iron bars. Bailey-courtyard Keep-house Portcullis-iron grill door Castles The site of a castle was chosen with protection in mind. (rocky cliff) Often surrounded by a ditch called a moat Daily Life Awake at dawn Breakfast (bread and ale) Girls taught needlework, singing, child care (usually married by 14) Knights and squires practiced riding and fencing Main meal at 10 or 11:00 (poultry, fish, pork, lamb, onions, peas, cabbage, beans, fruit, nuts, salad, bread and dessert) Food eaten with fingers (forks come about later in the Middle Ages) Supper at 5:00 Afterwards: sing songs, play chess, checkers or dice Go to bed pretty early Romantic Love Expected to defend his chosen lady and keep her entertained with love poems and songs (how adorable) The Song of Roland – famous epic poem French knights led by Roland fight Muslims from Spain Troubadours - traveling poet-musicians Went from castle to castle singing about joys and sorrows of romantic love Rules for Love Andreas Capellanus, a member of the clergy wrote “The Art of Courtly Love” in 1174. Some rules are as follows (boys, pay special attention): He who is not jealous cannot love. When one lover dies, a widowhood of two years is required of the survivor When made public, love rarely endures. It is not proper to love any woman whom one should be ashamed to seek to marry. If love diminishes, it quickly fails and rarely revives. A man in love is always apprehensive.
