Feudalism & Manor Life

1. Feudalism & Manor Life World History March12, 2014

2. The Emergence of Feudalism • After the fall of Rome Europe was divided into smaller factions • These small groups were unable to protect themselves from invaders • Barbaric tribes, the Vikings, and the Moors were threatening to take over smaller cities & civilizations • The idea of feudalism emerged in a response to a need for protection • This system is based on mutual obligations between lords & vassals • Known as a feudal contract • The lord promised to protect his vassal and the vassal promised loyalty and service

4. A Structured Society • Everyone had a place in feudal society • Monarch • King & Queen • Lords • Dukes or Counts • Held the largest fiefs • Vassals • Members of the noble class • Often times vassals had their own vassals • Means they could be both vassals and lords • Knights • Members of the noble class • The warrior elite • Serfs • The lowest members of society • This made up a majority of the population

5. Kings & Queens • In the feudal age, the King was at the head of society • He owned and controlled the land, made set rules and guidelines • The king collected tax money from the people • This is how he gained most of his wealth • All of his land was divided up and given to lords • These lords could control their land however they wanted to • Includes making laws, collecting tax money, raising a military, maintaining the upkeep of their manor • This made the monarch a “figurehead” ruler

6. The World of Nobles • During the Middle Ages, many nobles lived in castles • They were designed to withstand attack • Also symbolized wealth and power • Noblewomen were respected and valued in society • When her husband was out fighting, often the women would take over their jobs • Women were valued but had little rights • They could not own land • Would have arranged marriages • Would often come with a dowry • Had very traditional roles

7. Medieval Knights • Knights had to be of noble birth • Many nobles trained from childhood for an occupation as a knight • They often went through harsh and rigorous training • Being dubbed a knight was an honorable event • As feudal warfare decreased in the 1100s, tournaments became popular • This allowed knights to win land, money and popularity • Knights adopted a code of conduct called chivalry

8. Feudal Warfare • Each manor operated independently • Had their own laws, economy, produce, army • Europe was NOT united at this time • Lords who led each manor wanted power • Land gives power • Resources • Farmland • People • Because of this, feudal warfare was very common • Feudal Warfare = war or fighting between the different feudal manors • Knights would defend their lords from invaders and other lords and their armies

9. Manor Life • The heart of the medieval economy • Manor = lord’s estate • The manor was self-sufficient • The economy was based on mutual obligations • Peasants gave their lord a lifetime of labor • In return the lord allowed peasants to farm for themselves & gained protection • Manors included… • A few dozen one room huts • Water mills • A small church • The manor house/castle • Strips of farmland

12. Peasant Life • Most peasants on manors were serfs • Serf = peasants bound to the lord’s land • They were not slaves who could be bought of sold but they also were not free • Life was harsh • They worked long hours • Their diet was very basic, only what they could produce • They slept in 1 room houses with any animals that they owned • They could only work according to the season • They had to work hard in the warm seasons and then find other ways to make money in the off season • They made up the majority of the population