Feudalism and The Manor System

Feudalism and The Manor System in Western Europe

Special thanks to curriculum.new-albany.k12.oh.us and Timeline webpowell.com/worldhistory Middle Ages 2000 B.C.

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Goals 1. 2. 3. 4.

To identify the causes of feudalism. To describe life under a feudal system. To explain the manorial system. To describe the effects of a feudal system.

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The rise of feudalism • After the collapse of the Roman Empire, western Europe divided into small kingdom, feudalism developed. Timeline

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The rise of feudalism • Invasions by Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims further destabilized western Europe. • People turned to their local rulers to provide protection.

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The rise of feudalism • Feudalism was a system of protection more than what we might think of as government. Under feudalism land was owned by kings or lords but held by vassals in return for their loyalty. Timeline

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The rise of feudalism • Power was held by the people that owned land. • The landowners were usually called nobles or barons.

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Feudal social structure • In the feudal system, status determined a person's prestige and power • There were pretty much three groups of people under feudalism: Those who fought (nobles and knights) Those who prayed (men and women of the Church) Those who worked (the peasants). • Social class was usually inherited. Timeline Middle Ages 2000 B.C.

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How was feudal society organized? KING

Lord

Vassal

Peasant

Lord

Vassal

Peasant

Peasant

Vassal

Peasant

Peasant

Vassal

Peasant

Peasant

Peasant

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Vassalage • Under feudalism the nobles gave a share of their land, called a fief, to a vassal who could be a lord, baron, or knight. • In return for this land, the vassal promised to fight Timeline for the lord. Middle Ages 2000 B.C.

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Vassalage • It was not uncommon for the same man to be both lord to those below him and vassal to those over him.

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Vassalage • Feudalism was based on honor and loyalty. • The lords were expected to treat vassals with honor. • Lords protected the vassals, if a vassal died, the lord cared for his children. • Vassals advised the lords on laws and war. • Vassals were expected to raise and Timeline lead armies. Middle Ages 2000 B.C.

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Vassalage • Most vassals were knights. These were professional horse soldiers. • Vassals paid taxes to lords, mostly in the form of crops.

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Manorialism • Manorialism was an economic system based on agriculture. It was almost based on a local level. The idea was that a manor would be a selfsustaining enterprise where people could get everything they needed from the manor. • Manors included fields, pastures, a village, a mill, a forest, and a manor house.

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Manorialism • The manor was part of the fief, or grant of land, given to the vassal by his lord. • The fief also included power over the peasants who lived on it. Timeline

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Peasants • Probably something like 85 to 95% of Europe’s population during the Middle Ages were peasants. • Life as a peasant was pretty rotten. • In return for the protection of their lord, peasants gave much of their work output – such as crops – the their lord. Timeline

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Peasants • Most peasants were serfs. • Serfs were peasants who were considered part of a manor. • They were not allowed to leave the manor. • They could not be married without the lord’s permission. • They were not quite slaves. • Peasants could save money and Timeline eventually buy freedom and land. Middle Ages 2000 B.C.

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Peasants • Life as a peasant was very difficult. Men, women, and children were forced to work. • They often lived in one-room huts, with one opening for a window. It was not uncommon to share their huts with the animals. • Their homes generally had dirt floors and a fire might be built directly on it. Timeline Middle Ages 2000 B.C.

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