Download Feudalism

Feudalism
Medieval political system where land
was grated from Lord to Vassal on the
condition that each would fulfill
obligations to the other.
Why we call it the Dark Ages
Decline of…
Learning
Cities
Common Language
Exploration
Feudal Pyramid
3 types of Feudal People
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Fought = Nobles and Knights
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Prayed = Men and Women of the Church
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Worked = Peasants (Free or Serfs)
Fief…Feeeefffffffff!
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What is a Fief?
Also called Estate, this
was land granted to a
Vassal from a Lord.
The land was given
under the condition that
both Lord and Vassal
would exchange
responsibilities.
Vassal Who?
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Who is a Vassal?
A person who received
a grant of land from a
lord in exchange for a
pledge of loyalty and
services.
Oh Lord!
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What is a Lord?
A person who owned
land and who granted
Fiefs to Vassals. A
Lord can also be a
Vassal to more
Powerful Lord or King
Responsibilities of Lord to Vassal
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Give Military Protection
Knowledge
Religious Information
Land
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Fief and Peasants
Food
Weapons
Treasure from Battle
Housing
Responsibilities of Vassal to Lord
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Pledge of Loyalty
Labor (Farm Lords Land)
Tax
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Give amount of their fiefs crop to Lord
Pay to use grain mill
Tax on Marriage
Tax on Inheritance
Fight for Lord in battle
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40 to 60 days a year
Tithe = 10% of income was paid to local village priest
Peasants
Freemen
Serfs
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Paid Lord to farmland
Only worked on their loaned
land
They moved and lived
where they wanted to.
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Most Peasants were Serfs
Serfs can not leave Manor that
they were born in
Many Rarely traveled more then
25 miles away from where they
were born in lifetime.
Could only marry when Lord
gave permission
Though bound to land, not a
slave
Can not be sold or bought
By end of Middle Ages, could
buy freedom
Interesting Facts!
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Lords became more powerful then Kings
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Raised huge Armies and coined money
A Vassal might be a servant to multiple Lords
By 1000 AD, Kingdoms had been divided into
thousands of feudal territories.
Life on the Feudal Manor
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Self sufficient community
15-30 Families Lived in the Community
Serfs, Peasants, and Nobleman lived together.
Daily Life consisted of Farming and church
Serfs and Peasants produced nearly all that everyone
needed to live on.
Peasants had no say in Manor laws and government
unlike Greek or even Roman Times
Feudal Manor
Feudal Castle
Tower of London, Most Famous Castle in England
Knights
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Warriors that Pledge to
defend their Lord for
land or Fiefs.
Many times were hired
by multiple Lords to
fight.
Life long Job started at
a very young age.
Feudal Wars
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Because there were so
many Manors, Knights
would fight against
Knights from other
Manors for Land
Knights were Paid
Mercenaries or hired
soldiers
Life of a Knight
Page
Squire
Knight
Page childhood till 14
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Young Noble
Sent to another lords castle for training
Learned manors and courtly behavior
Studied war through chess and from older
knights
Some sword fighting
Main role was to assist ladies of Lord
Squire
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age 14 till 21
Became servant to a knight
Took care of knights armor and weapons
Cared for Knights Horse
Training to fight on horseback
Would have to rescue Knight during battle
Knight age 21 and up
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Earned knighthood
Became a Sir
Would be hired by
lords to fight in
exchange for land
Chivalry
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Set of Ideals
Fight Bravely in defense of 3
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Lord
Heavenly Lord
Lady
Protect Weak and Poor
Loyal, Brave and courteous
A Knight without Chivalry…
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“A cowardly knight who disregarded the code
of chivalry faced public shame. First, his
armor was stripped off, his shield cracked,
spurs cut off, sword broken over his head,
then he was thrown in a coffin and dragged to
church for a mock funeral.”
Roles of Medieval Women
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Noble Women were called ladies
Once married, husbands had complete control
Most marriages were planed to unite families
Married by 12 years old! Yikes!
If single by 21, always single!
Ladies Grab your Sword!
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If men were away from
the castle, Ladies
defended the castle,
and dressed in armor,
mounted on horseback,
and leading the fight!
Main duties were to
care for household,
supervise others, care
for poor and sick.
Some one say Tournament?
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Knights entered
tournaments to…
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Test strength
Skill
Endurance
Archery, horse joust, sword
fighting and fencing
Winners would get large
ransoms from defeated
knights
Thought winner of tournament
would be a great knight in
battle…?