European Feudalism

(Serfs)

Pope (Catholic Church) Pope Gregory VII (Gregory the Great)

King (Monarch) Richard I of England (Richard the Lionheart)

Lords The most powerful lords—princes, dukes, counts, and barons—held the largest fiefs (an estate or a plot of land for farming).

Vassals In many cases, the same man was both a vassal and a lord—vassal to a more powerful lord above him and lord to a less powerful vassal below him.

Knights Many nobles trained until the age of 21 to be “dubbed” a knight.

Peasants and Serfs Serfs were not allowed to leave the manor without the lord’s permission, but they were still not slaves.

The Decline of Feudalism

Nation Building As king’s gained more power, they often put their own wishes before those of the Church. King Henry IV of Germany vs. Pope Gregory VII Large areas of Europe became united under a single king which began to turn into nations. Nation = a community of people that shares territory and a government

Changes in England England was well on its way to becoming a unified nation. King John was crowned in 1199 and quickly moved to increase his wealth and power. Taxed heavily Jailed enemies without trial Took power away from Church leaders Angered powerful nobles But, King John was not strong enough to quiet the nobles and bishops in England.

Magna Carta In 1215, nobles and bishops forced King John to sign the Magna Carta, or “Great Charter” Limited the monarch’s power for the first time Listed the rights that the English monarch could not take away, but only applied to nobles Need just cause to jail freemen Can’t raise taxes without Great Council Model Parliament = a council of lords, clergy, and common people that advised the English King on government matters