CH. 1 FEUDALISM AND TIMES OF CHANGE

The Origins of the Western Worldview

Western Worldview? NOT this….

Western Worldview? We are talking broad ideas and the perspectives brought from West Europe: France, Italy, England, Spain, Germany, Nordic countries, etc

These ideas spread to North America with Explorers and Immigration When we talk about the West vs. the East, we are talking West: Western Europe and North America East: Middle East and Asia Christianity, liberalism (freedom), democracy, etc are all considered to be Western ways of thinking – (not exclusive).

So let’s go back to how it started…. Renaissance = Change or Rebirth So.. Something had to change. So.. Let’s look at how things WERE, and how they changed

The Medieval Era (Middle Ages) & Feudalism

What is Feudalism? Feudalism was based on land, loyalty, and duty. It was a simple, but effective system, where all land was owned by the King. 1/4 was kept by the King as his personal property, some was given to the church and the rest was leased out under strict controls.

What is Feudalism? In order to receive land, nobility or knights swore allegiance (loyalty) to the King who in turn would give him a piece of his land called a manor or fief.

Why would the king lease out his land? Too much for one person to control. In order to help maintain the land the king leases, or lends, out sections of land called fiefs to local lords. The lords in turn lend out sections of their land to lesser lords, nobles or knights, who in turn lend sections of their land out to peasants or serfs.

Feudalism: A Hierarchy

Feudalism: A Hierarchy People in society were organized into levels of importance and power – a hierarchy The function of the peasants was to work to produce the necessities of life, that of the nobles to fight for the protection of all, and that of the clergy to pray and to care for the salvation of men. Your position on this hierarchy was believed to be chosen by God. Popes and bishops Barons Priests, knights, etc

The King The King was in complete control under the Feudal System. He owned all the land in the country and decided who he would lease land to. Only men the King trusted were able to lease land from him. The men who leased land from the King were known as Barons, they were wealthy, powerful, and had complete control of the land they leased from the King.    

The Barons and Lords Barons leased land from the King which was known as a manor. They were known as the Lord of the Manor and were in complete control of this land. They established their own system of justice, minted their own money, and set their own taxes.

The Barons and Lords In return for the land they received from the King, the Barons had to many duties: Serving on the Royal Council Paying rent Provide the King with Knights for military service when he demanded it. Provide lodging and food for the King and his court when they traveled around the country. The Barons kept as much of their land as they wished for their own use, then divided the rest among their Knights. Barons were very rich.

Knights Knights were given land by a Baron in return for military service when demanded by the King. They also had to protect the Baron and his family, as well as the Manor, from attack. The Knights kept as much of the land as they wished for their own personal use and distributed the rest to villeins (serfs). Although not as rich as the Barons, Knights were quite wealthy.

Villeins/Serfs/Peasants Villeins, better known as serfs or peasants, were given land by Knights. They had to provide the Knight with free labour, food and service whenever it was demanded. Serfs had no rights. They were not allowed to leave the Manor Had to ask their Lord's permission before they could marry. Serfs were poor. Serfs made up the majority of the population.

KING: owns all land, governs the people Higher Noblemen and barons Job: swear allegiance to King and offer protection to all (Build armies) In return: Given large pieces of land CHURCH: (clergy, popes, bishops, priests) Job: Provide salvation for all In return: Given land Lower nobility (knights): Job: swear allegiance and protect all (fight) In return: Given small pieces of land PEASANTS/SERFS: Job: Work on land and provide for all (pay rent to Church and nobles In return: get to live on land, receive protection

Feudalism https://youtu.be/HCPp7XWZfHo

Check Your Understanding

Freeman Commoners/Peasants Freeman vs. Serf Freeman is just as it sounds, a peasant who was free, who worked for money as opposed to being tied to the land. A serf was tied to the land and therefore tied to the lord who owned the land. Those serfs who did not work on the land but who lived in towns had few choices as to their profession. Unskilled workers generally acted as labour or servants, while Skilled workers were usually involved in the trades.

Work in feudal times: GUILDS Trades (carpenters, framers, shoemakers etc.) were controlled by Guilds. They organized the trade, set the prices, set the standards and decided who would be admitted into the craft.

TIMES OF CHANGE REVOLTS

FEUDALISM Fair/Unfair…who cares? The feudal system was unfair for the peasants. Rich stayed rich, peasants could not move up the social/economic ladder. The taxes and goods they had to pay the lords prevented them from stock piling wealth and therefore prevented them from ever owning their land.

Peasants’ Revolt Unhappy with the feudal situation the peasants rose up against their oppressor in what was known as the peasants’ revolt. The peasants burned houses and killed nobles, but with little success. The revolts were suppressed and peasant unrest continued.