Feudalism in Europe The Social Order

Table of Contents Monarchs Lords & Ladies Introduction The Franks Charlemagne Invasion Threats Introduction of Feudalism Manors Middle Ages Social Order Monarchs Lords & Ladies Medieval Homes Homes of the Rich Knights (2) Peasants (2) End of Presentation

Introduction The Early Middle Ages began with the fall of Rome. After 500 years of living in a unified Europe, the Roman Empire collapsed leaving the people to fend for themselves. Exposed to the elements and virtually starving, they worked hard simply to survive and needed protection. These challenges gave rise to the economic and political system historian called feudalism. In this system, people pledged loyalty to a powerful landowner (lord) in return for protection. Armed warriors (knights) fought on behalf of the lords. Peasants worked the land and some peasants who could not leave the land were called serfs.

The Franks Once Rome fell, Europe was left with no central government or system of defense. Many invading groups set up their own kingdoms and went to war with each other. The most powerful were those with the most land and best warriors. One powerful group was the Franks. They developed a new style of fighting on horseback and conquered a great deal of territory. Clovis, became their king at the age of 15 and defeated the last Roman army at Gaul. During the next 30 years he widened the Frankish boundaries. Clovis wife, Clotilda led him to be baptized as a Christian. Many of his followers became Christians as well.

Charlemagne The most important leader of the Franks was Charlemagne. He lead the Franks for 40 years. He could not read or write, but loved to have scholarly works read to him. He encouraged education and scholarship making his court one of culture. With the help of Pope Leo III, he united all of Europe into a single Christian empire. The pope crowned him “Emperor of Rome”. Charlemagne helped prepare the way for feudalism by rewarding knights with land and privileges for military service.

Invasion Threats In the 9th and 10th centuries these kingdoms were threatened by invasion by 3 main groups. The Muslims (Islam), from the Near East and northern Africa. The Magyars, from Asia and the East. The Vikings from Norway and Denmark The Vikings were the most fearsome. They were best know for their terrifying raids on towns and villages. Clearly needing a way to defend themselves, they developed a system of defense called feudalism.

Introduction of Feudalism By the High Middle Ages (1000-1300), feudalism provided the protection needed by establishing a stable social order. Under this system the people were bound to one another by a system of loyalty. The land was owned by the monarchy and the church. The king awarded land grants or fiefs to his most important nobles, barons, and bishops, in return for their contribution of soldiers for the king's armies. Nobles divided their land among the lesser nobility, who became their vassals. Many of these vassals became so powerful that the kings had difficulty controlling them.

Manors Most people lived on a manor, which consisted of the manor house, the church, the village, and the surrounding farm land. Each manor was largely self-sufficient, growing or producing all of the basic items needed for food, clothing, and shelter. To meet these needs, the manor had buildings devoted to special purposes, such as: the mill for grinding grain, the bake house for making bread, and the blacksmith shop for creating metal goods. These manors were isolated, with occasional visits from peddlers, pilgrims on their way to the Crusades, or soldiers from other fiefdoms.

Middle Ages Social Order KING LORDS (VASSALS TO KING) KNIGHTS (VASSALS TO LORDS) Fief and Peasants Military Aid Food Protection Shelter Food Protection Shelter PEASANTS (SERFS) Pay Rent Farm the Land Homage Military Service Loyalty

Monarchs At the top of the feudal society were the Monarchs. As feudal lords, they were expected to provide protection and keep order. Most kings believed that God had given them the right to rule, but in reality their power varied greatly. Many could not afford an army so they had to depend on their vassals and nobles to help. Some these grew powerful and drew power away from the king. One such nobleman was William, Duke of Normandy, who became William the Conqueror. Through the Norman Invasion he brought feudalism and stability by the start of the High Middle Ages, around 1000 CE.

Lords & Ladies Like the Monarchs, Lords and Ladies were at the top of the feudal society. Most lived on the main house of the manor. Their homes were protected by high walls and sometimes a moat. The most wealthy lived in castles. Castles served as protection and were reminders of the wealth of the inhabitants. Women were often lords of the manor and had to perform all the duties required to run the manor, often managing a number of staff. They were responsible for raising children, often overseeing the large households. They also enjoyed hunting, feasting, dancing, board games, and reading. Many were adept at decorative sewing and fine embroidery.

Medieval Peasant Homes Medieval life was hard regardless of class, especially living conditions. Lit only by candles and warmed by a fireplace, the homes could be gloomy and cold. There was little to no privacy. Homes were infected by flees and lice. People only bathed occasionally, clothes were seldom washed, disease affected both the rich and poor and life expectancy was short, even with infants and children. War was an ever present danger.

Medieval Homes of the Rich The homes of the rich were more elaborate than the peasants' homes. Their floors were paved, as opposed to being strewn with rushes and herbs, and sometimes decorated with tiles. Tapestries were hung on the walls, providing not only decoration but also an extra layer of warmth.

Knights Knights had to have some wealth. A full suit of armor and a horse were expensive. To become a knight a boy started as a page, at the age of 7 he went to live at the castle of a lord where he received training and full religious instruction. He was expected to assist the ladies of the castle in every way possible, while learning to sing, to dance, and compose music; skills highly valued in knights. After 7 years the page became a squire where he spent time with the knight who was his lord. He assisted the knight in every way and most importantly trained to become a warrior. In his early 20’s, if deserving, he became a knight.

Knights The ceremony to become a knight involved the squire spending the night in prayer. The next morning he bathed and put on a white tunic, to show his purity. During the ceremony he knelt before his lord and said his vows. The lord drew his sword and with it touched the knight-to-be on each shoulder with the flat side of his blade and knighted him. The knights lived by a code of chivalry. They were expected to be loyal to their church and their lord, to be just and fair, and to protect the helpless. They performed acts of gallantry or paid respect to women. With the introduction of gunpowder and cannons in the 17th century, wars were fought differently and knights were no longer needed.

Peasants Most of the people in the Middle Ages were peasants. Their labor supported the entire feudal structure. Peasants were classified as “free” or “unfree” (serfs), depending upon the amount of service still owed to the lord. Serfs could not leave the lord’s estate. Peasants lives revolved around farm animals and raising of crops, but some were skilled carpenters, stone masons and metal workers. Peasant women worked the fields with the men. Serfs owed the lord taxes that were called “head money” which was a fixed amount per person. The lord could also charge “tallage” whenever he needed money. When a woman married her father paid a fee called a “merchet.”

Peasants Serfs were required to grind their own grain, from the lord’s mill and had to pay a portion to the lord. Peasant homes were usually 2 rooms, made of strips of wood and mud. There was a hearth fire in the middle of the main room, but usually no chimney. The homes were then dark and smoky. They had little furniture. The entire family and often farm animals slept in the same room. Their diet consisted of what they grew, dark bread, and stale meat from the lords farm animals.

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