The Middle Ages. The beginning of the Middle Ages (AKA Dark Ages) Fall of Rome – No central power to provide order Many Peoples invaded the area Social.

The Middle Ages

The beginning of the Middle Ages (AKA Dark

Ages)Fall of Rome –• No central power to provide

order

• Many Peoples invaded the area

• Social and Economic Chaos– Loss of education,

literacy– Trade Declined

• Cities were abandoned– Moved to towns, villages

Rebuilding Society

– Feudalism (political system)

– Manor system (economic system)

– Rebuilt Trade and Infrastructure

FeudalismForm of government based on exchange of land for protection and services

Feudalism

Hierarchy-Descending power and authority

Social Class system-InheritedWell defined

Investiture-Loyalty and Service secured by Oath (contract)

Feudal Class SystemLords – Nobles that were given lands by king

to maintain in return for service(Landlords)

Knights- Lesser Nobles that were also given lands to maintain in return for service

Serf- Worked the land and could not leave(Indentured)

Peasants- Worked the land but could leave (Freemen)

How Feudalism Works• King or Nobel gives control of a piece of land

(Fief) to another Nobel (Vassal) in return for service and taxes

Fief- is a piece of land given to a vassal by a lord to manage and protect.

Vassal- Anyone who pledged their loyalty and service to another in return for a grant of land.

• Nobles can then divide up land further to other Nobles (Knights) or peasants/surfs in return for service and taxes

Vassals

• Most noble vassals were knights: Professional horse soldiers

• Vassals provided military service and paid taxes to lords

• Mostly taxes were paid in crops

• Ultimately everyone was a vassal of the king

Feudal Structure

Feudal Structure

Feudal Structure

Feudal Structure

Manor system• Basic economic

arrangement within Feudalism

• Revolved around the manor or large estate of the lord

• Based on set of rights and obligations between serfs and lords

Manor system

•Lords protected land

•Peasants farmed the fields

•Serfs were legally tied to the land

Manors: Self-Sufficient Community

• Manor Had:• Fortified house/castle• Village• Fields for crops• Pasture for animals• Church• Mill to grind grain• Blacksmith.

Growth of Towns• People in Towns Asked

for Charters– Written documents

assuring rights– Formalized relationship to

lord

• Merchants set up Headquarters in towns

• Middle class began to grow (Between Peasants and Nobles)

Trade Guilds

• Association of merchants and artisans that governed town

– Controlled prices/wages in town

– Set standards– Regulated Trade– Trained Members

•Apprentice• Journeyman•Master (Join Guild)

Economic Changes

• Regained Control of Mediterranean

• Rebuilt Roman Roads

• Trade system re-created

• Trade Fairs– Meet for several weeks

to trade each year– Business grew to support