The Middle Ages

The beginning of the Middle Ages (AKA Dark

Ages)Fall of Rome –• No central power to provide

order

• Many Peoples invaded the area

• Social and Economic Chaos– Loss of education,

literacy– Trade Declined

• Cities were abandoned– Moved to towns, villages

Rebuilding Society

– Feudalism (political system)

– Manor system (economic system)

– Rebuilt Trade and Infrastructure

FeudalismForm of government based on exchange of land for protection and services

Feudalism

Hierarchy-Descending power and authority

Social Class system-InheritedWell defined

Investiture-Loyalty and Service secured by Oath (contract)

Feudal Class SystemLords – Nobles that were given lands by king

to maintain in return for service(Landlords)

Knights- Lesser Nobles that were also given lands to maintain in return for service

Serf- Worked the land and could not leave(Indentured)

Peasants- Worked the land but could leave (Freemen)

How Feudalism Works• King or Nobel gives control of a piece of land

(Fief) to another Nobel (Vassal) in return for service and taxes

Fief- is a piece of land given to a vassal by a lord to manage and protect.

Vassal- Anyone who pledged their loyalty and service to another in return for a grant of land.

• Nobles can then divide up land further to other Nobles (Knights) or peasants/surfs in return for service and taxes

Vassals

• Most noble vassals were knights: Professional horse soldiers

• Vassals provided military service and paid taxes to lords

• Mostly taxes were paid in crops

• Ultimately everyone was a vassal of the king

Feudal Structure

Feudal Structure

Feudal Structure

Feudal Structure

Manor system• Basic economic

arrangement within Feudalism

• Revolved around the manor or large estate of the lord

• Based on set of rights and obligations between serfs and lords

Manor system

•Lords protected land

•Peasants farmed the fields

•Serfs were legally tied to the land

Manors: Self-Sufficient Community

• Manor Had:• Fortified house/castle• Village• Fields for crops• Pasture for animals• Church• Mill to grind grain• Blacksmith.

Growth of Towns• People in Towns Asked

for Charters– Written documents

assuring rights– Formalized relationship to

lord

• Merchants set up Headquarters in towns

• Middle class began to grow (Between Peasants and Nobles)

Trade Guilds

• Association of merchants and artisans that governed town

– Controlled prices/wages in town

– Set standards– Regulated Trade– Trained Members

•Apprentice• Journeyman•Master (Join Guild)

Economic Changes

• Regained Control of Mediterranean

• Rebuilt Roman Roads

• Trade system re-created

• Trade Fairs– Meet for several weeks

to trade each year– Business grew to support