 Feudalism and the Manor Economy

Do Now:  Where do some people have more power than other people?

What is the definition of Feudalism?  Why does feudalism come about?  Way of protection  Way to maintain law and order  How is feudalism a political system?  Exchange land for loyalty and military service  What does it mean to have “mutual obligations?”

Outcomes of feudalism  Powerful local lords divide their land among lesser lords  Lesser lords, or vassals, pledge service and loyalty to their lord.  Feudal contract- powerful lord granted his vassal a fief (land)  Fiefs ranged from a few acres to a few miles.

The Hierarchy  Most powerful lords  Lesser lords  vassals  pledged service and loyalty to greater lord.  Lesser lords are given fiefs, or land.  Lesser lords have serfs, or peasants to work the land.

Why is feudalism important?  People pledge loyalty and service to each other  Legal relationship between each other

Warfare within feudalism  Warfare occurred because other lords wanted more power and more land  Knights were trained to be warriors and protect the land  Knights usually fought on horseback using swords, axes, and lances

Noblewomen  When the males in the family were out, women were known as the “lady of the manor.”  Supervised vassals, managed the household, and performed necessary agricultural tasks.  Women’s rights were restricted to the land she had control over.

How was the manor an economic system?  Take a minute to review your notes on this section. How was the manor part of an economic system?  Turn to your partner to discuss this question.

How was the manor system self- sufficient?

What was peasant life like?  Life was harsh.  Worked long hours  Usually worked on fields  Disease played a heavy toll.

Was there social mobility in the feudal system?