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?
Jan 18, 2016
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