Feudalism in Europe
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Feudalism in Europe Feudalism, a political and economic system based on land-holding and protective alliances, emerges in Europe.
Invaders Attack Western Europe
The Vikings Invade from the North Warlike Vikings raid Europe from Scandinavia—Denmark, Norway, Sweden Viking long ships sail in shallow water, allowing raids inland Eventually, many Vikings adopt Christianity and become farmers
Invaders Attack Western Europe
Magyars and Muslims Attack from the East and South
Magyars (Hungarian nomads) invade western Europe in late 800s Muslims strike north from Africa, attacking through Italy and Spain Viking, Magyar, Muslim invasions cause widespread disorder, suffering
A New Social Order: Feudalism
Feudalism Structures Society 850 to 950, feudalism emerges— political system based on land control A lord (landowner) gives fiefs (land grants) in exchange for services Vassals—people who receive fiefs— become powerful landholders
A New Social Order: Feudalism
The Feudal Pyramid
Power in feudal system much like a pyramid, with king at the top Kings served by nobles who are served by knights; peasants at bottom Knights—horsemen—defend their lord’s land in exchange for fiefs
Relationship Between Lords and Vassals
The relationship between lords and vassals made up a big part of the political and social structure of the feudal system Vassals had certain duties to perform for the lord All nobles were ultimately vassals of the king.
What is a Knight?
Almost all nobles were knights Training began at age 7, as a page, under the guidance of the lady of the manor Became squires at age 15 and were trained by other knights Those deemed worthy were “dubbed” knights
Workers on the Manor
There were two groups of peasant workers on the manor Freemen- skilled workers who paid rent and could leave the manor whenever they wished. (They usually had a skill needed by others on the manor.) Serfs – workers bound to the land by contract with the nobles. (They had no freedom - they where the noble’s property.)
Feudal Contract LORDS
GIVE SERVICE TO
GIVE PROTECTION TO
VASSALS 9
Constructing the Pyramid of Power
SERFS AND FREEMEN 10
Constructing the Pyramid of Power
LESSER NOBLES (KNIGHTS) LABOR
PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN 11
Constructing the Pyramid of Power POWERFUL NOBLES LAND AND PROTECTION
LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE
LESSER NOBLES (KNIGHTS) LABOR
PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN 12
Constructing the Pyramid of Power KING LOYALTY AND SERVICE
LAND
POWERFUL NOBLES LAND AND PROTECTION
LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE
LESSER NOBLES (KNIGHTS) LABOR
PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN 13
A New Social Order: Feudalism
Social Classes Are Well Defined
Medieval feudal system classifies people into three social groups
those who fight: nobles and knights those who pray: monks, nuns, leaders of the Church those who work: peasants
Social class is usually inherited; majority of people are peasants Most peasants are serfs—people lawfully bound to place of birth Serfs aren’t slaves, but what they produce belongs to their lord
Manors: The Economic Side of Feudalism
A Self-Contained World
Medieval manors include lord’s house, church, workshops, village Manors cover a few square miles of land, are largely self-sufficient
Manors: The Economic Side of Feudalism
The Harshness of Manor Life
Peasants pay taxes to use mill and bakery; pay a tithe to priest Tithe—a church tax—is equal to one-tenth of a peasant’s income Serfs live in crowded cottages with dirt floors, straw for beds Daily grind of raising crops, livestock; feeding and clothing family Poor diet, illness, malnutrition make life expectancy 35 years Serfs generally accept their lives as part of God’s plan
Bibliography
www.rcs.k12.va.us www.owasso.k12.ok.us
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