Feudalism in Europe

1. Chapter 13 Section 2 Feudalism in Europe

2. European Invasion • The Carolingian Empire lasted through 800 AD and the last of it disappeared around 1000 AD • Invasion came from all directions • Muslims from the south • Magyars from the east • Vikings from the North

3. The Vikings • Set sail from Scandinavia • Modern day Denmark, Norway, Sweden • Known was Northmen or Norsemen • Were Germanic in Origin • Often Violent in Nature • Eric Bloodaxe • ThorfinnSkullsplitter Gobber the Belch

4. The Viking Success • The Longboat made them very successful • Could hold 300 warriors • Could sail both directions • Could sail in 3 feet of water fully loaded • Sail upriver and raid inland villages • Vikings were quick to raid and quick to leave • Gone before locals could defend

5. Viking life • Also traders, farmers, and explorers • Journeyed far throughout Europe to get supplies and treasure and food in cold winter when they couldn’t farm. • Heart of Russia • Constantinople • And North America • Leif Ericson reached North America 500 years before Columbus • Adopted Christianity and a Climate Change lead to less raiding and more people staying in Scandinavia.

6. The Magyars • As the Vikings declined Europe became the center of assaults. • Attacked from what is mainly from Hungary • Swept west through central Europe on horseback and attacked villages and monasteries • Covered Germany Italy and eastern France. • Didn’t settle conquered lands, just captured and enslaved the people.

7. Muslim Invasion • Invaded from North Africa • Came through Italy and Spain • Originally came to settle in Europe • Later also came to plunder • Expert Seafarers and attacked many cities on the coasts of the Mediterranean sea.

8. Impact of Invasions • Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims caused chaos • Most people lived in constant danger and fear. • Kings could not effectively protect their land from invasion • Central leadership began to fade • People started to looking to local leaders.

9. New Order: Feudalism • In 911 a new organization formed when two former enemies faced each other in a peace agreement • Rollo – leader of Viking army • Charles the Simple – king of France • Agreed to grant Rollo land, the Northman land (Normandy), in return Rollo swore loyalty to the king. • Thus began a army, ruler combo – and the beginning of feudalism in Europe.

10. Feudalism - Structure • Rulers and Warriors throughout Europe made agreements • Land to the Warrior, in return protection. • The system of Governing and Landholding – Feudalism • Very similar to the systems in China and Japan • Was based on rights and obligations between the lord and the warrior • The Lord (Landowner) Grants land (Fief) to the Warrior (Vassal). He then agrees to provide protection for the lord and the people in return

11. System of the Feudal Pyramid • King • Wealthy Land owners • Nobles and Bishops • Knights • Defenders of the land in exchange for Feifs • Landless peasants • Worked the fields.

12. Social Classes • Status determines a persons prestige and power • 3 groups of people • Those who fought • Nobles and knights • Those who Prayed • Men and women of the church • Those who Worked • The peasants • Usually inherited

13. The Peasant • Majority of the Population was peasants • Most of them were Serfs • People who could not lawfully leave the place they were born • Not slaves but bound to the land • Could not be sold or bought • But their debt to the lord was paid by the work they did.

14. The Manor • The lord’s Estate • The basic arrangement of the economy and living organization • Lord provided the serf with housing, farmland, and protection • Serf tended the fields and raised animals and maintained the land. • Certain days labor each week dedicated to the leaders jobs.

15. A small world • Most people spent all their life on the manor and rarely traveled more than 25 miles from where they were born • World consisted of what you could see from the center of the fields • World contained the lords house, a church, workshops, and the homes of the village • 20 to 30 families • Streams and Mills were often found on the land.

16. The Self Sufficient Community • Serfs and Peasants maintained and produced everything that people needed • Crops, milk, cheese, fuel, cloth, leather, and lumber • Purchased only the things they couldn’t produce from outside

17. A Rough Life • Peasants paid a high price to live on the land and under protection of king. • Paid a tax on the grain ground in lords mill • If you tried to avoid it, it was a crime. • Paid a Wedding tax • Could only marry if it was approved by the lord. • After all the taxes they also owed a tithe to the church • One-tenth of their income. • Living conditions were also poor

18. Living Conditions • Cottages were small and cramped • One to two rooms • Main room was for kitchen, eating, and household activities • bedroom • Straw for the floor to sleep on • Brought pigs inside to keep the floor warm • Daily activities were work, work, and more work. • Children worked as soon as they were old enough • Many didn’t live to be adults • Disease was high • Life span 35 years • Maintained that God had chosen their path in life.