Do It Now

What is the social hierarchy that makes up Phoebus High School?Hierarchy: a

system in which groups are

ranked according to status

Feudalism Feudalism Ms. ReedMs. Reed

World History I World History I

What is the definition of FEUDALISM??

❖ A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty and military service.

❖ The system was used by the French Normans, a system where all land is owned by the king. The king then divides the land under his strict control.

Terminology❖ King: The person in complete control of the land.

❖ Lord: Those who leased (borrowed/loaned) land from the King and could then give land to the Vassals.

❖ Vassals: Lesser lords who received land from the lord or king in return for military service.

❖ Serfs: Peasants who worked on the land for the vassals. They did not own the land.

❖ Fief: an estate of land (and serfs) given to the vassals by the king.

Basic Structure

Why did Feudalism Develop?

❖ Feudalism developed in the power vacuum left by the fall of the Roman Empire.

❖ More rural populations needed protection and structure.

❖ King would provide both of these and in return asked for loyalty and taxes.

How did Feudalism Work?

❖ Feudal Obligations: The mutual obligations of the King to the vassal and the vassals to the King

Essentially: The kingprovided vassals with land

(fief). In return, the vassals pledged loyalty to the king and gave a large portion of their income to

the king.

How did Feudalism Work?

❖ The king would have his own army which would be filled by knights who would protect the king.

❖ Lay Investiture: The appointment of priests, bishops, and other members of the clergy by feudal lords/kings.

❖ Who had more authority the church or the state?

The Manor System

❖ The class structure was very rigid on a manor. Serfs were bound to the land. There was little room for social mobility.

❖ Approximately 90% of the Western European population under feudalism were serfs/peasants.

❖ Life was primarily agriculturally based. The king, lords, and vassals were economically supported by the agricultural work of the peasants.

The Manor SystemManors were

almost entirelyself-sufficient. All their needs could be met just from the work on the

manor.

October Sowing, Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry (Chantilly)

June HarvestLes Très Riches Heures

Du Duc de Berry(Chantilly

July Haying and Sheep-ShearingLes Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry (Chantilly)

November Acorn HarvestLes Très Riches Heures

du Duc de Berry(Chantilly)

The Granger Collection, New York

Feudalism Essay

❖ You are to write a two paragraph essay pretending you are your character in the class simulation.

❖ In the first paragraph explain: Who are you? What is your role in society? What is your daily life like?

❖ In the second paragraph explain: What is good about your social level? What is bad about your social level? What options are available for you?