What does noble mean? Possessing hereditary rank in a political system or social class derived from a feudalistic stage of a country's development. –Having.

Feudal Europe

Stand back fair maiden! I will

protect you from those ferocious middle school

children.

Oh (gasp). But who will save them from

having to learn about- us?

Europe 500 AD

First Kings

• Germanic tribes took over after Rome

• Fought for own land

• Strongest man/fiercest warrior made king

Europeans Needed Protection

• During the 9th & 10th centuries Europe was invaded from every direction

• North– Viking invasions

• South– Muslims had

conquered territory

• Feudalism grows because the weak needed protection!

King Divides His Lands

• Awards land called “fiefs” to his top men

• Become nobles- called lords or…

• The lords became vassals of the king

• Vassals- loyalty given for land & protection

Even Vassals Have Vassals

• The king is the head of the nobility- called royalty

• Nobles want more power – Nobles gave fiefs to lesser nobles– These lesser nobles became vassals too

• All were vassals except for the king

• Vassal= you swear loyalty; and agree someone else is above you!

Feudalism In Europe

• As time passed, land in Europe was divided into smaller kingdoms and fiefdoms

• The kings did not command one large, central empire

• Feudalism- land owned by king or lord, vassals (including peasants) were expected to work, pay taxes, and fight for their lord

Europe 500 AD

The Manor System

• Way of organizing economy

• Manor- large area of farmland that also contains, peasant villages, a church, and typically a castle/manor house for protection

• The manor was run by the lord or king

• Peasants- fought and farmed in exchange for land and protection

Life on the Manor

Everyone fits into one of the following Roles

• Those who rule

• Those who pray

• Those who fight

• Those who work

King

Lords &

Clergy Knights

Lesser Lords

Peasants & Serfs

King/Lord Exchange

Land, (Fief)Peasants

Way to Make MoneyProtection

Loyalty Will Fight in ArmySoldiers for Army

Cut of Taxes

KingKing

Lord(Nobility)

Lord(Nobility)

Vassal of King

The Lord/Knight Exchange

Land, (Fief)PeasantsProtection

Loyalty Will Fight for LordSoldiers for Army

Cut of Taxes

Knight Lesser noble

Knight Lesser noble

Vassal of Higher LordVassal of King

Lord May be a Knight

The Lord/Peasant Exchange

ProtectionLand to Farm

Served in ArmySupplies Food

Pays TaxesLabor

Lesser Lord or Knight

Lesser Lord or Knight

PeasantPeasant

Vassal of Higher Lord or King Vassal of Lord

Peasants

• Two types of peasants (poor farmers)– Freeman- peasants who owned or rented a

small plot of land– Serfs- peasants who were considered to be a

part of the manor (like property)• Were not allowed to leave the manor• Sometimes they could buy their freedom• If they escaped and avoided capture for a year

and one day they became free

• Built of stone (at first built of wood)

• Designed for protection not comfort

• Built on a hill on rocky land if not, needed a moat

• Moat: deep water filled or dry ditch

• Drafty, dirty, damp, dim, cold

• Small windows, little sunlight

• Heavy metal gate that protected the heavy wooden door

• Dungeons AKA Keeps- strongest part of the castle; enemies kept there- but also the hide out for the lord and family

Castles