Feudalism - Step 1 A political system in which kings and powerful nobles (lords) distributed land to less powerful nobles (vassals).

Peasants and serfs living on this land will be protected. Feudalism - Step 2 In return these nobles promised loyalty, military assistance, and other services to the more powerful lord above him. Feudalism - Step 3 Peasants and serfs living on this land will be protected. STOP: In your notebook, answer the following question: what commodities are exchanged in the Feudal system?

FEUDALISM It is very important that you understand the Feudal hierarchy.

FEUDALISM FEUDAL RELATIONSHIPS - BETWEEN LORD & VASSAL 1. Honorable relationship Only nobles could be lords/vassals. 2. The same man can be both a lord and a vassal. 3. Very personal relationship Each man owed loyalties and obligations to the lord directly above him, or to the vassal below him.

FEUDALISM FILL IN THE GRAPHIC ORGANIZER AS WE GO PARTICIPANTS KINGS Description- Still ruled the country, but were weak and incapable of protecting their people. Role in Feudalism- They granted land on their royal estate to powerful nobles in return for military service. Pay attention to the pictures

FEUDALISM PARTICIPANTS LORDS Description- Obligation to King- Powerful nobles with economic and social superiority. Lived in castles, on land granted to them by the king. Lords acted as the government over their lands. Obligation to King- Lords swear loyalty to the king and provide him with military assistance when needed. Pay attention to the pictures

FEUDALISM PARTICIPANTS LORDS Role in Feudalism- Lords then split up their extra land and grant it to noble vassals below them. Obligation to Vassals- Offered protection to vassals Treated vassals as equals Helped organize agriculture and industry

FEUDALISM PARTICIPANTS VASSALS Description- Less powerful nobles. Warriors and sometimes knights. Skilled in war. They received the extra land (fief) from lords. Obligations to Lord- Vassals swore an oath of fealty (loyalty) to their lord and promised him military assistance and other services when needed. Pay attention to the pictures

FEUDALISM PARICIPANTS VASSALS Additional Obligations to the Lord- Provided armor, swords, and cavalry for the Lords army Paid armies while at war Sat in the lord’s court and judged cases Provided lodging to lord when he traveled Offered gifts to lord’s son or daughter Paid ransom if lord was captured Pay attention to the pictures

FEUDALISM PARTICIPANTS VASSALS Role in Feudalism- Vassals took the land (fief) granted to them by the lord and the people already on the land, and established self-sufficient communities. Obligations to Peasants & Serfs Provide them with safety and protection. Spot check: what are the differences between a lord and a vassal? (hint: make note of it in your notebooks)

FEUDALISM PARICIPANTS PEASANTS & SERFS Role in Feudalism- Peasants & Serfs received protection from invaders. Obligations to the Vassal (their lord)- Peasants and serfs provided the labor on the Vassals land.

Face of the country Powerful & Rich Poverty Stricken But kings had little power Powerful & Rich Upper Middle Class & Elite Fighters Poverty Stricken

FEUDALISM

Feudalism KING POWERFUL NOBLES LESSER NOBLES (KNIGHTS) LOYALTY AND SERVICE LAND POWERFUL NOBLES LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE LAND AND PROTECTION LESSER NOBLES (KNIGHTS) LABOR PROTECTION SERFS AND PEASANTS

FEUDALISM Failure to Fulfill Obligations Vassals can renounce loyalty of lord; Fails to protect vassal Mistreats vassal Adds obligations that were not part of the feudal contract

FEUDALISM Failure to Fulfill Obligations Lords can also opt out of contract if vassal fails to meet their obligations. Vassals then tried for treachery Vassals could lose fief or life if guilty

FEUDALISM Feudal Justice Trial by Battle - Duel Compurgation (oath-taking) - Witnesses Ordeal - Healing ability

FEUDALISM Warfare Kingdom vs Kingdom Lord vs Lord Lord vs Vassal Vassal vs Peasants There was constant war during the middle ages

Early feudal knight “fighting man” FEUDALISM Warfare Knights fought for lords Highly skilled soldiers from noble families Charged fee for fighting Excepted land as payment Warfare brought nobles the opportunity to acquire wealth & glory Early feudal knight “fighting man”

FEUDAL WEAPONS

FEUDALISM Warfare Society suffered The Church tried to regulate war Peace of God Truce of God Enforcement was a problem

FEUDALISM Chivalry Code of conduct for knights Bravery Loyalty Respect Courtesy and Manners Helped improve behavior Coats of arms became badges of nobility

You’re about to start section 2 of the Feudalism Unit

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM This was the economic system during the Middle Ages. Manor - an almost completely self-sufficient community. Manor house Church Pastures Fields Mills Villages peasants and serfs 3 field system -->

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Overview Domain Manors need to import salt, metals, and iron The lord keeps 1/3 of the land for himself Domain

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Overview The other 2/3 is rented out to peasants They work their land and give the lord part of their crops to pay rent They pay additional taxes Serfs & peasants do all the backbreaking work, in return they are protected by the lord

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Lord / Vassal Clergy Oversaw production Provided safety and protection Clergy Handled religious duties Administered sacraments

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Life on the Manor - Nobility Housing A Manor Home or an early version castle was home to the lord. These early structures were built for defense not comfort. Large stone castles come later in the middle ages Early Mott Bailey Style Castle

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Life on the Manor - Nobility Clothing Bright colors, nice material, and long jackets were a sign of wealth Women wore long gowns & headdresses Linen tunic Head dress

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Life on the Manor - Nobility Food Meat (read meats, pork, poultry) Cooked and delivered by servants Fresh bread, vegetables and wine

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Life on the Manor - Nobility Entertainment Juggling Feasts & banquets Jousting & tournaments Music

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Life on the Manor - Nobility Women Many women were educated in etiquette, dance, and music. Monitored servants

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Life on the Manor - Clergy Housing Local priests lived in small homes next to the church Clothing Priests wore black Bishops wore white, red, gold

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Backbone of the manor Skilled Peasants Free people who could rent land from their lord Paid rent in the form of labor & taxes Millers, Blacksmiths, Carpenters, and Stonemasons Repaired and built buildings, roads, and villages Made armor, weapons, furniture Worked long days, 6 days a week

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Backbone of the manor Additional Requirements of Peasants Plowed fields Planted grains & vegetables in the fields Harvested agricultural products

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Backbone of the manor Serfs Bound to the land Restrictions to freedom Produced food for the manor Provided labor intense work in the fields & cared for livestock Terrible living conditions Worked long days, 6 days a week

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM A typical day in the life of a serf

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Life on the Manor - Peasants & Serfs Housing Dirty, muddy, smoky, cold, damp One room shared by family & livestock Mud floors, leaky thatch roofs

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Life on the Manor - Peasants & Serfs Clothing Cheap tunics made from wool or sheepskin Long wool dresses Rope belts Serfs wore “Dog Tags”

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Life on the Manor - Peasants & Serfs Food Dark bread made out of rye grain. They ate stew with vegetables from garden in it. Peasants did not eat much meat. They could hunt rabbits or hares but might be punished for this by their lord. And Beer….

THE MANORIAL SYSTEM Life on the Manor – Peasants & Serfs Entertainment Village Festivals Traveling Troubadours Story Telling Drinking

MANORIALISM Life on the Manor – Peasants & Serfs Women Livestock Clothes making Baking Cared for children

PEASANT & SERF COMPARISON VENN DIAGRAM Serfs Both Not bound to land - Free they could leave manor Could rent land Paid rent in labor & taxes Skilled in different trades Bound to land No freedom Couldn’t leave or marry without approval If land was sold, serfs stayed Wore “dog tags” Worked for lord Received protection Lived in village

END OF SECTION 2 ACTIVITY

END OF SECTION ACTIVITY YOUR MISSION You are playing the role of a Noble Vassal during the Middle Ages in Europe. You are new to the area and would like to acquire a fief from a lord. You are in luck as a few lords are actually looking to grant land to qualified candidates. In order to acquire the land, you will have to go on a job interview.

END OF SECTION ACTIVITY You will be interviewing with 3 powerful lords. At the interview you will need a resume highlighting your objective, personal characteristics, prior experience as a vassal, and a list of the obligations you intend to fulfill. (see resume example) You will also have to impress the lords during a face-to-face interview. At the interview, be prepared to answer 4 questions from the lords. You also need to prepare at least 1 question to ask the lords. (Think of what a vassal would want from his lord based on the roles of feudalism)

VASSAL RESUME

INTERVIEWING First Second Third Last Handshake Eye contact & confidence Be Prepared, KNOW YOUR FACTS! Have questions ready