1 Aim: How did the feudal system govern life in Europe? (9th C-12th C) Do Now: Handout on “Europe- 9th and 10th C” 1.What is this report telling us? 2.

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Aim: How did the feudal system govern life in Europe? (9th C-12th C)

Do Now: Handout on “Europe-9th and 10th C”

1.What is this report telling us?2. If you were a King, soldier, landowner, or peasant at the time, how would you approach life?

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WHY WAS FEUDALISM NECESSARY?

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Political/Military Structure• Feudalism originated partly as

result of Viking, and Muslim invasions

• Kings unable to defend their lands.• Nobles had to find way to defend

own lands• Some built castles, often on hills

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Homage Oath-Handout

What were John of Toul obligations?

Which person gain the most? least?

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ObligationsOath of Fealty Lords, vassals in feudal system had duties

to fulfill to one another Knight’s chief duty as vassal to provide

military service to his lord Had to promise to remain loyal; promise

called oath of fealty

Financial Obligations Knight had certain financial obligations to

lord Knight obligated to pay ransom for lord’s

release if captured in battle

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Lord’s Obligations Lord had to treat knights fairly, not

demanding too much time, money Had to protect knight if attacked by

enemies

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Knight Almost all nobles were knights Became squires at age 15 and were trained

by other knights Those deemed worthy were “dubbed” knights Knights were usually paid for their services

with land Land given to knight for service was called a

fief Anyone accepting fief was called a vassal

Person from whom he accepted fief was his lord

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Contract

loyalty

loyalty

food

Military protection

Provide knights in times of war

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CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OR POWER

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CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OF POWER

LESSER NOBLES(KNIGHTS)

LABOR PROTECTION

SERFS AND FREEMEN

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CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OF POWER

LESSER NOBLES(KNIGHTS)

LABOR PROTECTION

POWERFULNOBLES

SERFS AND FREEMEN

LAND ANDPROTECTION

LOYALTY ANDMILITARY SERVICE

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CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OF POWER

LESSER NOBLES(KNIGHTS)

LABOR PROTECTION

POWERFULNOBLES

KING

SERFS AND FREEMEN

LAND ANDPROTECTION

LANDLOYALTY ANDSERVICE

LOYALTY ANDMILITARY SERVICE

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A Tale of Chivalry

1. According to the Troyes’ Tales, how were women treated?

2. What characteristics would make some people admire Eric?

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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.)