The Middle Ages

Feudalism

Feudalism System of social order and

government that developed during the Early Middle Ages

Emerges after the division of Charlemagne’s kingdom- Treaty of Verdun

Feudalism broght about some degree of order and justice to Europe

Feudalism Agrarian

(farming) system Based on land (the manor)

-fief

The Fief (Manor or Castle- surrounding lands)

Medieval Castle (Fief)

Windsor Castle in England

The Manor

Feudal Society- social classes Feudal King Nobles or Lords Knights Peasants Serfs

Social Structure

The game of chess reflects the various aspects of medieval feudalism

Medieval kings and lords were at the top of the social and political hierarchy

Richard the Lionhearted (England)_

Medieval knights served the king and lords

Knights Warrior class Served to protect the king and lord Did not do manual labor- farming Found glory in combat and warfare Rewarded for their loyal service

Given land Given noble titles (Sir, Lord, etc.) Gained prestige

Peasants Peasants were

free workers. They worked the land and provided for the manor or fief.

Majority of people during the Middle Ages were peasants

Serfs Workers who were NOT free to leave

the land (fief) This was essentially a form of

enslavement Serfs were NOT free to move about

from place to place They were not bought and sold,

however. Life was extremely harsh and difficult

Vassalagethe system that held feudalism together

A vassal was the loyal subject of the king or lord

A vassal pledged loyalty and service In return for this service, a vassal

was often given land or a noble title Land = wealth and power

Vassals submitted to the lord

Chivalry Code of conduct that guided the lords

and knights (vassals) Chivalry stressed:

Bravery Loyalty Respect Religious devotion Courtesy (especially toward

noblewomen)

Chivalry

Noblewomen Arranged marriages were common Noblewomen did have some control

and power within their own homes Noblewomen could often read and

write Women were subject to male

authority

The Medieval View of WomenTwo opposing views Women were often seen as

agents of the Devil Like Eve, women were more

prone to temptation and deception

Some women were accused of witchcraft

Joan of Arc was accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake by the English

Another View of Women

During the Middle Ages women were also seen as pure and saintly (like the Virgin

Mary)- Mother of Christ

Feudalism Feudalism would remain the

dominant social and political model until the later part of the Middle Ages.

Feudalism declined as the new middle class began to grow and as nation-states began to emerge