Chapter 9Chapter 9 Section 2 Section 2 FeudalismFeudalism

Chapter 9Chapter 9 Section 2 Section 2 FeudalismFeudalism

Invasions of Invasions of EuropeEurope

Invasions of Invasions of EuropeEurope

• Carolingian Empire began to fall apart soon after Charlemagne’s death in 814

• Divided among he grandsons into three major parts

• Invasions = disintegration of the empire• Muslims attacked the southern coasts of

Europe and France• Magyars (people from western Asia)

settled in Hungary and invaded western Europe

Chris Chris BrowneBrowneThe Vikings

The Vikings• Great love of adventure & spoils of war

• Warriors, great shipbuilders and sailors

• Long and narrow dragon ships carried 50 men

• The design of the ships allowed them to sail up European rivers and attack places far inland

VikingLongship

Able to sail up shallow Able to sail up shallow rivers or on the high rivers or on the high

seasseas

Able to sail up shallow Able to sail up shallow rivers or on the high rivers or on the high

seasseas

VikinViking g Raid Raid

4

Given lands in France (Normandy) and converted to Christianity which made them a part of European civilization

Given lands in France (Normandy) and converted to Christianity which made them a part of European civilization

Viking Settlement in Greenland

Viking Settlement in Greenland

Viking Farm in Viking Farm in Iceland Iceland 3333

Viking Burial Ground 34

Feudalism• Developed from a need to protect

themselves against the Vikings and other invaders

• Centralized governments were unable to defend their subjects

• People turned to local aristocrats and nobles who were powerful enough to protect them in return for a service

Vassalage• Vassal – man who served a lord in a

military capacity• Knight – heavily armed cavalry

• Lords gave vassals a piece of land for their family in exchange for fighting for them

The Feudal The Feudal ContractContract

• Lord/vassal relationship was made official in a public ceremony

• Vassal performed an act of homage to his lord

• Fief – the land given to the vassal

• Vassals could have their own vassals & the system became very complicated

The Feudal PyramidThe Feudal Pyramid

The Nobility of the Middle Ages

• Nobles – kings, dukes, barons, & bishops

– Had large estates and considerable political, economic, and social power

• Great lords and ordinary knight = common group within the aristocracy

– Warriors, united by knighthood

Tournaments• Contests where knights could show

their fighting skills

“A knight cannot distinguish himself in war if he has not trained for it in

tourneys.”

Knight 1180 Knight 1180

EvolutiEvolution of on of ArmorArmor14761476

EvolutiEvolution of on of ArmorArmor14761476

TournamenTournamenttTournamenTournamentt

JoustJoustJoustJoust

Chivalry• Code of ethics that knights were

supposed to uphold

• Knight were expected to:

– Defend the Church

– Defend those who are defenseless

– Treat captives as honored guests

– Fight only for glory and not for material rewards

Aristocratic Women• Could legally hold property, but most

remained under the control of men

• Because the lord was often away, managed the estate:– Officials & servants

– Financial accounts

– Food supply

Eleanor of Aquitane

•Married Louis VII of France at age 15 (annulled) and later Henry II of England

•Two of her sons were kings (Richard and John)