Download Feudal Europe

By Joseph Enge
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I. The period in history between the
breakup of the Roman Empire (approx.
500 AD) and the Renaissance (approx.
1400 AD) has become known as The
Middle Ages, The Medieval Period, and
The Dark Ages in Europe, especially
Western Europe.

A. In place of the government and
order the Roman Empire had provided,
a new system called feudalism came
about.

B. The Christian Church provided the only
unifying force, during the Middle Ages, for
Europe. It provided government services
where no non-religious government
existed. And, of course, it bound believers
together.
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II. Under feudalism, ruling power was held
by lords who owned the land.
A. Vassals were granted land by a
lord, called a fief, according to a
contract.
1. serfs were slaves (to a land
parcel.)
2. villeins were free but did not
own land, rented it instead.
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B. Manors were estates (areas of land)
with a lord's manor house (castle) and
demesne (lord's barns, stables, etc.) at
the center. Lords often had help:
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1. stewards were legal advisers who
reviewed accounts and held court.
2. bailiffs supervised peasants (serfs) and
farm work, collected rents, dues, and
fines.
3. reeves helped bailiffs, but also reported
peasant complaints (about manor officials)
to the lord.

C. Marriages were usually "arranged" and
a dowry was expected.

D. Feudal manor houses (castles) usually
had big stone towers, called keeps, to
provide safety during an attack.
1. High walls with walkways near the
top and moats that could be
crossed only by using the
drawbridge also protected the
manor house.
2. The castles themselves, however,
were filthy, dark, and cold.

III. The Christian Church crossed feudal
boundary lines.

A. European Christians believed only the
Church could give eternal salvation
through the seven sacraments.

B. But also, the Church handled many
government services; it was powerful.

C. Heresy (holding religious beliefs
contrary to established church doctrine)
was punishable by excommunication
(out of the church, no sacraments, no
salvation) or burned at the stake.

D. Pope Innocent III declared himself
above any other (human) ruler around
1200 and said the word of the Church was
final.

E. The Church had become rich through
tithes, gifts, and feudal inheritance.
F. Between 1095 and 1291 the Crusades
were fought to regain the Holy Land
(Jerusalem, etc.) for the Christians.

IV. Toward the end of the Middle Ages
towns and cities redeveloped.

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A. Trade over large areas increased.
1. Money replaced barter.

2.
Interest was charged on
loans.

3.
Credit made trade travel
safer.

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B. Overcrowding in towns brought
problems.
1. Poor sanitation brought
plagues, such as bubonic
plague (black death).
2. Also, a new middle class of
businessmen emerged; they
formed guilds.

V. Finally, united countries formed,
headed by strong monarchies.

A. Merchants (with money) wanted safety
between towns and cities.

B. England, France, and Spain formed
between 1450 and 1600.

C. Germany and Italy did not unite until
the 1800's.