Feudalism
Feudalism
What is feudalism?
What is manorialism?
How is manorialism connected
to feudalism?
Vocabulary Terms
Manor – Central part of a nobles land • Manorialism – A
system based on self sufficient self sufficient farming estates where the lord and the peasants lived off the land together
Feudalism – political system based on an granting land in exchange for loyalty, and military assistance
Feudalism
An economic, political, and social system based on a An economic, political, and social system based on a relationship between the lord and his vassalsrelationship between the lord and his vassalsSure! What’s in it
for me?
Will you protect my
land and give me undying
loyalty?
The vassals would receive land in exchange for protecting the nobles The vassals would receive land in exchange for protecting the nobles estateestate
How
Feu
dalism
W
ork
s:
WealthyLandowner
WealthyLandowner
WarriorProtected landin exchange forland
Owned land – Powerful – provided Guidance for the people
a.k.a. “Serfs” – worked The land – belonged to the Land – not necessarily the noble
The ManorThe Manor
Lord’s House/ Castle
Church
Serfs in the field
Peasant’s House
Nobles House or
Castle
Main part of th
e noble’s land was called a
Main part of th
e noble’s land was called a
““manormanor””
The house was a fortified building or castle or The house was a fortified building or castle or a wooden house surrounded by fortified wallsa wooden house surrounded by fortified walls
Surrounding the castle was the Surrounding the castle was the lord’s estate which was mostly lord’s estate which was mostly covered with farmlandcovered with farmland
Knights
Code of Chivalry• Vassals • Lived by a code of honor –
Chivalry– Defend the Catholic Church– Protect women and the weak– Fight injustice– Show courage in every battle
• Used weapons such as battering rams, catapults, siege towers, etc.
Economy
The land provided most of the things they needed
As a result, most activity from farming to wood working, to wine making took place on the manor – few people ever left the manor
The Church
Christianity played an important role in the Middle Ages
Most feudal manors were equipped with a church for worship
The Peasants
The serfs were bound to the land which meant that they were considered part of the property. They remained with the land even if a new lord acquired the manor
Legacy of Feudalism• Loyalty and honor remain strong in European
armies• Class structure still in existence in some countries• Surnames, or family names – families took their
names from their jobs – Baker, Carpenter, Cook, Taylor (tailor)
• Structures still standing – churches, castles, etc.• Institutions still remain strong – Catholic Church