FeudalismFeudalismMedieval political system where land was grated from Lord to Vassal on the condition that each would fulfill obligations to the other.

Why we call it the Dark AgesDecline of…

Learning

Cities

Common Language

Exploration

Feudal Pyramid

3 types of Feudal People

Fought = Nobles and Knights

Prayed = Men and Women of the Church

Worked = Peasants (Free or Serfs)

Fief…Feeeefffffffff! What is a Fief?

Also called Estate, this was land granted to a Vassal from a Lord. The land was given under the condition that both Lord and Vassal would exchange responsibilities.

Vassal Who? Who is a Vassal? A person who received

a grant of land from a lord in exchange for a pledge of loyalty and services.

Oh Lord! What is a Lord? A person who owned

land and who granted Fiefs to Vassals. A Lord can also be a Vassal to more Powerful Lord or King

Responsibilities of Lord to Vassal Give Military Protection Knowledge Religious Information Land

Fief and Peasants Food Weapons Treasure from Battle Housing

Responsibilities of Vassal to Lord Pledge of Loyalty Labor (Farm Lords Land) Tax

Give amount of their fiefs crop to Lord Pay to use grain mill Tax on Marriage Tax on Inheritance

Fight for Lord in battle 40 to 60 days a year Tithe = 10% of income was paid to local village priest

PeasantsFreemen Serfs

Paid Lord to farmland Only worked on their loaned

land They moved and lived

where they wanted to.

Most Peasants were Serfs Serfs can not leave Manor that

they were born in Many Rarely traveled more then

25 miles away from where they were born in lifetime.

Could only marry when Lord gave permission

Though bound to land, not a slave

Can not be sold or bought By end of Middle Ages, could

buy freedom

Interesting Facts! Lords became more powerful then Kings

Raised huge Armies and coined money A Vassal might be a servant to multiple Lords By 1000 AD, Kingdoms had been divided

into thousands of feudal territories.

Life on the Feudal Manor Self sufficient community 15-30 Families Lived in the Community Serfs, Peasants, and Nobleman lived together. Daily Life consisted of Farming and church Serfs and Peasants produced nearly all that everyone

needed to live on. Peasants had no say in Manor laws and government

unlike Greek or even Roman Times

Feudal Manor

Feudal Castle

Tower of London, Most Famous Castle in England

Knights Warriors that Pledge to

defend their Lord for land or Fiefs.

Many times were hired by multiple Lords to fight.

Life long Job started at a very young age.

Feudal Wars Because there were so

many Manors, Knights would fight against Knights from other Manors for Land

Knights were Paid Mercenaries or hired soldiers

Life of a KnightPage Squire Knight

Page childhood till 14

Young Noble Sent to another lords castle for training Learned manors and courtly behavior Studied war through chess and from older

knights Some sword fighting Main role was to assist ladies of Lord

Squire age 14 till 21

Became servant to a knight Took care of knights armor and weapons Cared for Knights Horse Training to fight on horseback Would have to rescue Knight during battle

Knight age 21 and up

Earned knighthood Became a Sir Would be hired by

lords to fight in exchange for land

Chivalry Set of Ideals Fight Bravely in defense of 3

Lord Heavenly Lord Lady

Protect Weak and Poor Loyal, Brave and courteous

A Knight without Chivalry… “A cowardly knight who disregarded the code

of chivalry faced public shame. First, his armor was stripped off, his shield cracked, spurs cut off, sword broken over his head, then he was thrown in a coffin and dragged to church for a mock funeral.”

Roles of Medieval Women Noble Women were called ladies Once married, husbands had complete control Most marriages were planed to unite families Married by 12 years old! Yikes! If single by 21, always single!

Ladies Grab your Sword! If men were away from

the castle, Ladies defended the castle, and dressed in armor, mounted on horseback, and leading the fight!

Main duties were to care for household, supervise others, care for poor and sick.

Some one say Tournament? Knights entered

tournaments to… Test strength Skill Endurance

Archery, horse joust, sword fighting and fencing

Winners would get large ransoms from defeated knights

Thought winner of tournament would be a great knight in battle…?