Chapter 15-2 part 2

Nobles

Kings- owned land in the kingdom Barons- richest lords Lords- lord of the fief Knights- warrior for the king (included dukes,

earls, and counts)

Vassals and Knights

Nobles were both lords and vassals. A vassal was a noble who served a lord of

higher rank. In return, the lord protected the vassal. The vassal swore loyalty to his lord. In return for his service, the lord granted the

vassal land- known as a fief.

The Road to KnighthoodThe Road to Knighthood

KNIGHT

SQUIRE

PAGE

Steps to Knighthood

Page- age seven Learned to fight and

ride Care for weapons and

armor Also learned how to

read, write, manners, and music

Squire- around age 14 Served the knight- put

on his armor, helped in battle

Learned to move in heavy armor

ChivalryChivalry:: A Code of Honor and A Code of Honor and BehaviorBehavior Chivalry was a code of

conduct the knights followed.

Chivalry required the knights to be brave, loyal, and true to their word.

It also called for women to be protected and cherished.

Dubbing of a Knight

About age 21 Squire bathes in clear water and dresses in a

white tunic and a bright red cloak Is tapped on the shoulder with a sword in a

ceremony of well-wishers, the lord and his lady

Castles

No two castles looked the same

They were built as fortresses and usually made out of stone

They could take several years to build

Parts of a Castle

Castle

Built on a hillside or a rocky ledge

The castle was surrounded by a “curtain wall.”

Castle Defense

Rounded or square towers were built at each of the corner walls

Narrow slits were built to shoot arrows at the enemy

Visitors to the castle had face a deep moat filled with water

Once across the moat, visitors faced a heavy iron gate Once across the moat, visitors faced a heavy iron gate called “portcullis”called “portcullis” then often another gate called the barbicanthen often another gate called the barbican

Trade in the Cities

By the 1100s trade began to increase and many cities became wealthy.

Venice, Italy built a fleet of trade ships and became a major trade center.

Flanders, Belgium became the trade center for northern Europe. This area was known for its woolen cloth.

Cities in northern Europe began to hold trade fairs where merchants exchange furs, tin, honey, and wool for cloth and swords.

People bartered or traded goods for other goods.

People began to use gold and silver to pay for goods.

Trading companies and banks were set up to manage the sale of goods and the use of money.

Medieval Cities

Medieval towns began to set up their own governments.

Citizens elected members of a city council to serve as judges, officials, and lawmakers.

Narrow, winding streets Houses crowded

against one another Fire threatened the

wooden homes Dirty and smelly- trash

dumped into the streets and rivers

Crafts people organized guilds, or business groups.

The rise of towns and the craft guilds led to a new middle class.

The guilds set standards for quality in products

Steps to Joining a Guild

1. The Apprentice- age 10, learned trade from master who provided room and board but no wages

2. Journeyman- worked for wages until created a masterpiece

3. Master- created a masterpiece- an outstanding example of the craft