Feudalism & Manorialism

Rome Falls - 476 C.E. When Rome fell, Europe changed dramatically. Empire is broken into hundreds of little kingdoms throughout Europe.

Collapse of Central Government Roman Empire = Central Government It made laws and had armies to protect people. With the fall of Rome, the government collapsed. Hundreds of small kingdoms emerged and took over rule.

After the fall of Rome, the empire was divided among various Barbarian tribes.

Increased Warfare New kingdoms fought often Trying to acquire more land Increased fighting scared people and encouraged them to find new ways of protecting themselves. New political and economic systems developed.

Early Middle Ages was a very dangerous time.

Peasants Needed Protection Peasants were scared. They turned to landowners for protection. Peasants offered their labor in exchange for protection. Peasants = serfs

Rich landowners have armies. Peasants need protection - look to landowners and their armies.

Serfs A serf was “bound to the land.” Serf could not leave his lord’s land. He was not a slave because he could not be sold. He was not free because he could not leave.

People who owned land were called lords. Lords gave land to lesser lords called vassals. A vassal had to obey his lord and give military service and loyalty to his lord.

Feudalism Feudalism = political and military system of the Middle Ages. Feudal Society = land is exchanged for military service and loyalty. Basis of Power = ownership of land.

A fief was all of the Lord’s land. The manor was part of the fief. The manor was the part of the fief where the peasants farmed and the people lived.

Manorialism Manorialism = economic system of the Middle Ages Manorialism = self-sufficient economy Everything that is necessary for life is created on the manor.