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Feudalism & Manor Life

Feudalism & Manor Life. World History March12, 2014. The Emergence of Feudalism. After the fall of Rome Europe was divided into smaller factions These small groups were unable to protect themselves from invaders

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Feudalism & Manor Life

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  1. Feudalism & Manor Life World History March12, 2014

  2. The Emergence of Feudalism • After the fall of Rome Europe was divided into smaller factions • These small groups were unable to protect themselves from invaders • Barbaric tribes, the Vikings, and the Moors were threatening to take over smaller cities & civilizations • The idea of feudalism emerged in a response to a need for protection • This system is based on mutual obligations between lords & vassals • Known as a feudal contract • The lord promised to protect his vassal and the vassal promised loyalty and service

  3. A Structured Society • Everyone had a place in feudal society • Monarch • King & Queen • Lords • Dukes or Counts • Held the largest fiefs • Vassals • Members of the noble class • Often times vassals had their own vassals • Means they could be both vassals and lords • Knights • Members of the noble class • The warrior elite • Serfs • The lowest members of society • This made up a majority of the population

  4. Kings & Queens • In the feudal age, the King was at the head of society • He owned and controlled the land, made set rules and guidelines • The king collected tax money from the people • This is how he gained most of his wealth • All of his land was divided up and given to lords • These lords could control their land however they wanted to • Includes making laws, collecting tax money, raising a military, maintaining the upkeep of their manor • This made the monarch a “figurehead” ruler

  5. The World of Nobles • During the Middle Ages, many nobles lived in castles • They were designed to withstand attack • Also symbolized wealth and power • Noblewomen were respected and valued in society • When her husband was out fighting, often the women would take over their jobs • Women were valued but had little rights • They could not own land • Would have arranged marriages • Would often come with a dowry • Had very traditional roles

  6. Medieval Knights • Knights had to be of noble birth • Many nobles trained from childhood for an occupation as a knight • They often went through harsh and rigorous training • Being dubbed a knight was an honorable event • As feudal warfare decreased in the 1100s, tournaments became popular • This allowed knights to win land, money and popularity • Knights adopted a code of conduct called chivalry

  7. Feudal Warfare • Each manor operated independently • Had their own laws, economy, produce, army • Europe was NOT united at this time • Lords who led each manor wanted power • Land gives power • Resources • Farmland • People • Because of this, feudal warfare was very common • Feudal Warfare = war or fighting between the different feudal manors • Knights would defend their lords from invaders and other lords and their armies

  8. Manor Life • The heart of the medieval economy • Manor = lord’s estate • The manor was self-sufficient • The economy was based on mutual obligations • Peasants gave their lord a lifetime of labor • In return the lord allowed peasants to farm for themselves & gained protection • Manors included… • A few dozen one room huts • Water mills • A small church • The manor house/castle • Strips of farmland

  9. Peasant Life • Most peasants on manors were serfs • Serf = peasants bound to the lord’s land • They were not slaves who could be bought of sold but they also were not free • Life was harsh • They worked long hours • Their diet was very basic, only what they could produce • They slept in 1 room houses with any animals that they owned • They could only work according to the season • They had to work hard in the warm seasons and then find other ways to make money in the off season • They made up the majority of the population

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