Feudalism and Manorialism The social, political, and economic systems of the middle ages.

The Middle Ages or Medieval Period ( 500 CE -1500 CE.) Rise of New Kingdoms/States that are not united (Charlemagne’s empire was short-lived) New Kingdoms are unable to protect themselves from Barbarian Invasions, causing a need for localized Protection Barbarian Invasions cause the Fall of the Western Roman Empire The Rise of Feudalism in Europe

Vikings, Muslims and Magyars Invasion Map

Feudalism A political and social system of the middle ages based upon relationships of mutual obligations. It was a system of extreme political decentralization where public power was held and exercised in private hands. This system was derived as a result of no strong central government. (There were still kings they were just weak!)

Feudalism Continued! This system was based upon the exchange of land for protection. A grant of land was called a fief. The individual who granted the land is known as a lord and the individual who receives the land is known as a vassal.

Commendation Ceremony Ceremony began with the act of homage (agreement to provide military service in return for land) This officially entered the two parties in a feudal relationship. This was followed by an oath of fidelity.

The Feudal Pyramid

Feudalism continued Kings were lords Upper nobility and clergy could be lords and vassals Lesser nobility (knights) were vassals

Feudalism continued The reason Feudalism worked is because everyone benefited from this system Fiefs were typically broken up into large farming estates known as manors Typically a knight was the lord of the individual manor

Manorialism While Feudalism provided a political and social system, Manorialism was the economic system of this time. Economic System- the means of producing, distributing, and consuming goods Manorialism—economic agricultural system by which the lord of the manor relied upon the labor of peasants who worked his estate or fief.

Manorialism Continued Manorialism got its name from the manor or large farming estates that fiefs were broken into. There was little to no trade during this time because it was unsafe to leave one’s manor. As a result people became self-sufficient.

Manorialism continued Everything that was needed was produced on one’s manor. Food, clothing, and shelter were all produced on the manner. The land on the manor was shared by a lord and several peasant families.

Manorialism continued The lord kept 1/3 of the land for himself which was known as his domain. The peasants/serfs farmed the remaining 2/3 of the land. In return for being allowed to work the land the peasants gave the lord some of their crops, farmed his land, and also paid taxes.

The Composition of a Manor Manors were comprised of a manor house (where the lord lived), cultivated lands, woodlands (to hunt), pastures (for cattle), fields, a village, a church, a priests house, a mill (used to grind grains into flower, and an oven. Ideally were located along stream or river to provide power for the mill.

Manorialism Continued They used an early form of crop rotation on manors. The manor was divided into 3 fields. Only 2 were planted at a time and the third lay fallow to regain its fertiltiy.