Feudalism in Europe

Feudalism, a political and economic system based on land-holding and protective alliances, emerges in Europe.

Invaders Attack Western Europe

The Vikings Invade from the North Warlike Vikings raid Europe from

Scandinavia—Denmark, Norway, Sweden

Viking long ships sail in shallow water, allowing raids inland

Eventually, many Vikings adopt Christianity and become farmers

Invaders Attack Western Europe

Magyars and Muslims Attack from the East and South Magyars (Hungarian nomads) invade

western Europe in late 800s Muslims strike north from Africa,

attacking through Italy and Spain Viking, Magyar, Muslim invasions

cause widespread disorder, suffering

A New Social Order: Feudalism

Feudalism Structures Society 850 to 950, feudalism emerges—

political system based on land control A lord (landowner) gives fiefs (land

grants) in exchange for services Vassals—people who receive fiefs—

become powerful landholders

A New Social Order: Feudalism

The Feudal Pyramid Power in feudal system much like a

pyramid, with king at the top Kings served by nobles who are

served by knights; peasants at bottom

Knights—horsemen—defend their lord’s land in exchange for fiefs

Relationship Between Lords and Vassals

The relationship between lords and vassals made up a big part of the political and social structure of the feudal system

Vassals had certain duties to perform for the lord

All nobles were ultimately vassals of the king.

What is a Knight?

Almost all nobles were knights Training began at age 7, as a page,

under the guidance of the lady of the manor

Became squires at age 15 and were trained by other knights

Those deemed worthy were “dubbed” knights

Workers on the Manor There were two groups of peasant

workers on the manor Freemen- skilled workers who paid rent

and could leave the manor whenever they wished. (They usually had a skill needed by others on the manor.)

Serfs – workers bound to the land by contract with the nobles. (They had no freedom - they where the noble’s property.)

9

Feudal Contract

LORDS

VASSALS

GIVEPROTECTION TO

GIVE SERVICE TO

10

Constructing the Pyramid of Power

SERFS AND FREEMEN

11

Constructing the Pyramid of Power

LESSER NOBLES(KNIGHTS)

LABOR PROTECTION

SERFS AND FREEMEN

12

Constructing the Pyramid of Power

LESSER NOBLES(KNIGHTS)

LABOR PROTECTION

POWERFULNOBLES

SERFS AND FREEMEN

LAND ANDPROTECTION

LOYALTY ANDMILITARY SERVICE

13

Constructing the Pyramid of Power

LESSER NOBLES(KNIGHTS)

LABOR PROTECTION

POWERFULNOBLES

KING

SERFS AND FREEMEN

LAND ANDPROTECTION

LANDLOYALTY ANDSERVICE

LOYALTY ANDMILITARY SERVICE

A New Social Order: Feudalism Social Classes Are Well Defined

Medieval feudal system classifies people into three social groups

those who fight: nobles and knights those who pray: monks, nuns, leaders of the Church those who work: peasants

Social class is usually inherited; majority of people are peasants

Most peasants are serfs—people lawfully bound to place of birth

Serfs aren’t slaves, but what they produce belongs to their lord

Manors: The Economic Side of Feudalism

A Self-Contained World Medieval manors include lord’s house,

church, workshops, village Manors cover a few square miles of

land, are largely self-sufficient

Manors: The Economic Side of Feudalism

The Harshness of Manor Life Peasants pay taxes to use mill and bakery; pay a

tithe to priest Tithe—a church tax—is equal to one-tenth of a

peasant’s income Serfs live in crowded cottages with dirt floors, straw

for beds Daily grind of raising crops, livestock; feeding and

clothing family Poor diet, illness, malnutrition make life expectancy

35 years Serfs generally accept their lives as part of God’s

plan

Bibliography

www.rcs.k12.va.us www.owasso.k12.ok.us