2. Feudalism Within 100 years of Charlemagne’s death Large-scale government in Europe had disappeared By 900’s most Europeans were government by small, local leaders Most often by lords The political organization these leaders represented is known as feudalism
3. Feudalism The system A powerful noble granted land to a lesser noble The actual land remained with the noble who made the grant Grant allowed the lesser noble to maintain himself and his family Lesser noble promised loyalty, military assistance and other services to the lord who granted the land
4. FEUDALISM The person who granted the land was a lord The grant of land was known as a fief The person who received the fief was a vassal The vassal could further grant this land to others such as knights The vassal was now a lord as well Primogeniture – system of inheritance from father to eldest son
5. FEUDALISM Women’s rights regarding legal property were limited Women could have fiefs in their dowry When they married the land passed to their husband Women usually gained control of the property if her husband died
6. FEUDALISM Kings also bound by the customs and obligations of feudalism The medieval church was part of the system Owned vast amounts of land Had many vassals who were granted fiefs in return for military service and protection
7. FEUDALISM Warfare – common during the Middle Ages Fights between feudal lords, or vassals and lords These were local conflicts that include only a few nobles and their knights A few were large scale events involving large regions and were very destructive
8. FEUDALISM Knights wore armor in battle and were heavily armed Armor Chain mail – small inter-locking metal links stitched to a knee length shirt Iron helmet and carried a sword, a large shield and a lance Later overlapping metal plates replaced metal links
9. FEUDALISM Knights had to have a crane lift them on their horses – Clydesdales Wars for nobles meant an opportunity for glory and wealth For most people war caused great suffering and hardship
10. FEUDALSIM The church tried to limit hardship by issuing several degrees banning violence near churches Forbade violence against Cattle and agricultural equipment Clergy, women, merchants and pilgrims Fighting on weekends and holy days Private wars continue until kings became strong
11. FEUDALISM Feudal justice Trail decided in one of three ways Trial by battle; could be a duel between accuser and accused or their representative Compurgation; oath taking by witnesses Trial by ordeal; determined on how the accused survived the ordeal
12. THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Manorial System shaped the economy of Europe during the Middle Ages Manors were large farming estates Manor houses, cultivated lands, woodlands, pastures and villages Provided central authority and organized trade People were self-sufficient Produced food, clothing and shelter Purchased iron, salt, wine and manufactured goods
13. The Manorial System A lord and several peasant families shared the land of the manor Lord kept 1/3 of the manor for himself (Domain) Peasants farmed the remaining 2/3’s In return they gave the lord Some crops Helped farm his land Provided other services and paid many kinds of taxes
14. THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Manor village located on a stream or river which provided waterpower for the village mill For safety small cluster of homes near the manor house or castle Land surrounding the manor house Village Vegetable plots and cultivated fields Pastures and forests Only two of the three fields would be planted
15. THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Peasant life Spend long hours at backbreaking work in the fields See primary source on p 297 Called serfs – could not leave the land without permission Meals Black bread Lentils Some veggies Ale Rarely had meat
16. THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Peasant life Life spans short Disease Starvation Frequent warfare Most lived, worked and died in the village they were born in
17. THE MAORIAL SYSTEM Nobles’ lifestyles Generally did not live in luxury as one might think Castle Usually built on hills Early structures were made of wood – later stone If on flat land a moat was constructed to protect it Keep Main part of castle Lord lived here tower
18. THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Nobles’ lifestyles Lord or head of a peasant family depended on his wife and children for help Marriage viewed as a way to advance one’s fortune Lord would provide dowries Among peasants children were often welcomed as a source of labor
19. THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Chivalry – a code of conduct which brought changes to the Middle Ages System of rules that dictated knights’ behavior towards others Courageous fighter Loyal to his friends Fight fairly Be courteous to women and less powerful Treat conquered foes gallantly Only required to extend courtesy to his own class Could be rude and bully others
