9.2 Life in Medieval Europe EQ: What is the manor system and why did it develop?

The Manor System Main part of Noble’s land was called a manor Center of manor was house where lord and family lived (often a castle) Surrounding manor house was Lords estate, including farmland Peasants called serfs lived and worked on manor as servants, farmers, and in specialized skills areas (wood workers, black smiths, etc)

Interesting Fact: Manor homes were often full of people besides the noble’s family…often priests, master hunters, knights in training, cooks, servants, artists, crafts people, musicians, and jesters also traveled/lived with the family.

Interesting fact: In times of trouble villagers entered the manor walls for protection. The manor’s great hall also served as the manor’s court and was often used as the location for special celebrations and feasts

FYI: How is feudalism different than manorialism? Feudalism is where lords gave vassals land (fiefs) in exchange for protection. It was a political and military arrangement. Manorialism is where lords gave land to serfs in exchange for food and shelter, which contributed to the manor. It was an economic & social arrangement.

Life on the Manor Farming was the economic basis of the manor system Farming produced enough food to make manors self-sufficient Europe’s geography provided plentiful natural resources allowing manors to be self-supporting and few people ever left the property

Interesting Fact: Manage and defend his land and it’s people Lords: Manage and defend his land and it’s people Made laws for his manor estate to follow Acted as judges in manor courts Some held posts in the kings govt In times of war helped supply well-trained fighting force (Knights) Ladies: Could have all the same responsibilities as men if they owned land Raised the children Overseeing the house-hold(s) -(some holding hundreds of people) Fine embroidery and sewing

Interesting Fact: Peasants lived in small houses on the manor with only one or two rooms, that they often had to share with livestock. Men helped with crops, tended livestock, and worked as carpenters, shoemakers, and smiths. Women worked in fields, cared for the lords children and helped with running the household. Peasants used a heavy amount of herbs in their cooking, especially with meats to help cover up the taste of salt on the meat and it could disguise the taste of the meat if it was no longer fresh!

Interesting Fact: Castles could be gloomy and cold only lit by candlelight and fires, there was little to no privacy and fleas and lice often infected the buildings. People generally bathed only once a week and clothes were not washed daily. Disease affected both the rich and poor alike.

Serfs / Peasants Diagram of Feudal & Manorial System The system is based on Cooperation & Mutual Obligation Feudalism = Political & Military System Manorialism = Economic & Social System Feudal/Manorial System Relationships King Fief & Peasants Protection Loyalty & Military Aid Nobles/Lords (Vassals) Protection, Food, Shelter, Equipment Homage & Military Service Knights (Vassals) Farm the Land, Pay Rent & Taxes Protection, Shelter, Food Serfs / Peasants

Knighthood and chivalry Knights lived by code of behavior called chivalry Expected to be: loyal to their church and lord Just and fair Protect the helpless Perform acts of gallantry (paying respect toward women) Show courtesy and kindness toward women

Interesting Fact: Becoming a knight was a lifelong process boys started training (which usually meant leaving their homes to live with a lord) by the age of 7. boys started out as a page, or servant, they learned how to ride a horse and received religious instruction. Ladies of the house taught them how to sing, dance, compose music, and play instruments. Pages became squires after 7 years of training (around the age of 14) often spending time with knights polishing armor and weapons. they also helped care for horses and waited on their lords. Began to learn to fight with lances, battle-axes, and maces. Helped to dress their lords in real battles and looked after him if he became wounded. Squires would serve their lords for several years before finally becoming a knight.

Jousts and tournaments were a major part of a knight’s life Jousts and tournaments were a major part of a knight’s life. In a joust two armed knights on horseback galloped at each other with their lances held straight out. The idea was to unseat the opponent from his horse. Jousts could be done as a sport, for exercise, or as a serious battle.

Growth of towns Around 1000 town life began to return to Europe Due to number of Lords becoming increasingly powerful – bringing peace and stability to numerous regions As a result people felt safer and merchants, builders, and trades- people settled down in one area forming towns

Summary What is the manor system and why did it develop? Answer the EQ with DETAIL by writing a 10 sentence summary! Remember to PROVE your answer using detailed facts and educated opinions! The EQ was: What is the manor system and why did it develop?