The Feudal System

1. The Feudal System

2. First things first… • During the Middle Ages (roughly 300 – 1500C.E.) society changed and developed from a single ruling empire to a FEUDAL system of government. • The role of the Church increased greatly. People were called to serve their local nobles & the Pope. They were to protect their community from attacks by Vikings or hostile lords seeking to expand their kingdom. • The Middle Ages are broken down into 3 smaller periods: Early Middle Ages (a.k.a. Dark Ages) High Middle Ages Late Middle Ages

3. Feudal Pyramid

4. Feudal Pyramid • Everyone provided a service to the people higher up on the pyramid • They either fought or farmed for that person • In return for their service, they were given protection or land

5. The King was at the top of the feudal pyramid • The King had the most power, and he owned the most land – he would give his land out as fiefs to the highest noblemen underneath him (Barons)

6. Fiefs • A fief was a piece of the kings land that was given to a Noble to live on and take care of (as long as he promised to supply the king with soldiers and some of the profits) • A kingdom might be split up into about 50 fiefs. The Baron had power over anyone who lived on his land

7. Fiefs cont. • The fiefs granted by the king were quite large, so Nobles would divide their land into smaller sections to other rich men • (who became known as barons, dukes, earls and counts depending on how much land they owned)

8. Fiefs cont. • Loyalty and service is an important idea in feudal society • In order to take the land, you would swear an oath to the person who gave it to you – if you broke the oath, you would become a traitor • Vassal – once you took the land, you became a vassal. (example: a Baron is a vassal of the king)

9. Nobles • Were vassals to kings • They controlled sections of land, and the people who lived there, from peasants to soldiers • They provided the king with money and with protection. They were required to fight for the king if needed. • Counts answered to Dukes, Dukes answered to Barons. All people above merchants were nobility.

10. Knights • Agreed to fight for their lord in return for land

11. Merchants/Commoners • Merchants ran businesses in the community- they worked near the castle or town and paid rent and taxes to the king • Commoners were servants who worked in the local castle or manor – they were paid for their work in money, food and clothing

12. Serfs • Serfs were the lowest of feudal society • They were like slaves toiling away for their lord - they were not allowed to leave the lord’s land • they worked but received no money – instead they received food, clothing and a small hut for their family. They also received protection during war/invasions • Serfs could become free by escaping capture for a year and a day

13. Manor Life

14. Manors • The land on the manor was divided up into small plots of land. • The land that belonged to the lord was called the ‘demesne’ (domain) • The rest of the land was allotted to peasants

15. Manors • Common land existed on the manor. Peasants had some rights to the common land: • They could cut a limited amount of hay from the meadow • They could take a certain amount of wood from the forest to use as fuel or for building • They could turn so many farm animals into the pasture or waste (cattle, geese, swine)