1. Vocabulary Feudalism vassal feudal contract fief knight tournament
chivalry
troubadour
manor
serf
SS.2.3.HS.2

2. Feudalism and the Manor Economy
A new political and social system
SS.2.3.HS.2

3. Vows
Lord (King)
Nobles
Peasants
SS.2.3.HS.2

4. Emergence of Feudalism
People needed protection for themselves, their homes, and their land.
Feudalism is a loosely organized system of rule in which powerful local lords divided their land among lesser lords or vassals.
SS.2.3.HS.2

5. Mutual Obligations
Feudal contract – exchange of pledges between lords and vassals.
Lord granted vassal a fief or estate
Few acres to hundreds of square miles
Included peasants to work the land
Included any towns in area
Vassal agreed to be loyal to Lord
40 days of military service
Provide payments to Lord
SS.2.3.HS.2

6. Structured Society Kings & Queens
Knights served their noble lords in exchange for their land.
Kings & Queens
The greatest lords of Europe and all nobles and knights were their vassals.
Peasants owned no land, so they were not part of the feudal system, But many worked on land owned by nobles and knights.
Nobles were vassals of kings and queens. Many were also lords of lower ranking nobles and Knights
SS.2.3.HS.2

7. The World of Nobles Warfare was a way of life
Most trained from boyhood to be a knight – or mounted warrior
SS.2.3.HS.2

8. Castles Strongholds of powerful lords Included:
Keep (wooden tower) surrounded by a fence
Moat (water filled drench)
Gradually became larger and grander
Walls built of stone
Wars often centered on seizing castles
SS.2.3.HS.2

9. SS.2.3.HS.2

10. Noblewomen Lady of the Manor
Supervised vassals
Managed the household
Oversaw estate
Women given land as a dowry – to be given to her husband
Arranged marriage
Before marriage, taught to spin, weave and manage household.
Some learned to read and write
SS.2.3.HS.2

11. Chivalry Code of conduct for Knights
Required to be brave, loyal, and true to their word.
Required to be fair in war
No to attack if opponent wasn’t ready
Place women on a high pedestal
Called for women to be protected and cherished
SS.2.3.HS.2

12. Chivalry Troubadours – wondering poets
Praised the beauty, perfection and wit of women
Ideas of chivalry shaped western ideas of romantic love
SS.2.3.HS.2

13. Peasants and Manor Life
Manor was the center of medieval economic life.
Most peasants were serfs – bound to the land.
They were not free
Could not leave the manor without permission
SS.2.3.HS.2

14. Mutual Obligations
Peasant’s had to farm the Lord’s land several days per week
Repaired roads, bridges, and fences
Paid fees:
Marriage, inheritance, and use of mill, etc.
Christmas and Easter other fees due
Money didn’t exist – barter
Grain, honey, eggs, …….
SS.2.3.HS.2

15. Mutual Obligations In return for lifetime of labor:
Right to farm a few acres for themselves
Protection
Couldn’t be forced off the land
Guaranteed food, housing and land.
SS.2.3.HS.2

16. Homework Questions Describe three features of feudal society.
What obligations did lords and vassals have under the feudal system?
How did the code of chivalry affect medieval ideas about women?
What responsibilities did the peasant have toward the lord of a manor and Lord to the peasants?
SS.2.3.HS.2