Middle Ages

Medieval Society Nobility Clergy Peasants Kings and Queens Rulers Lords and Knights Controlled the land Clergy Church officials Peasants Majority of the population Worked the land and served the nobles

Feudalism Developed as a result of frequent invasions in western Europe Kings and nobles needed a way to protect their lands.

Feudalism Lords divided their lands into estates called fiefs. Fiefs were given to vassals. A person granted land in return for loyalty or military service All nobles were vassals to the king

Feudal Obligations Knights Obligation to Lord Lord’s Obligation to Knights Provide military service and protection Remain loyal and faithful Give Land Resolve disputes between knights

Constructing the Pyramid Feudal Power SERFS

Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power KNIGHTS LABOR PROTECTION SERFS

Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power POWERFUL NOBLES LAND LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE KNIGHTS LABOR PROTECTION SERFS

Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power KING LOYALTY AND SERVICE LAND POWERFUL NOBLES LAND LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE KNIGHTS LABOR PROTECTION SERFS

King (Monarch) Kings pledged to keep order to protect their vassals.

Lords Responsible for managing and defending the manor and acted as local judges.

Knights Highly trained mounted soldiers who were expected to be loyal to their kings, lords, and church. They acted as law enforcement for the lord.

Serfs Peasant farmers who were tied to the land they worked. Some were carpenters, shoemakers, or smiths. Serfs paid taxes to their local lords.

Write under graphic organizer Feudalism was a system of promises (land, protection for service, and loyalty) that governed the relationships between lords and their vassals.

Check for Understanding What was the lord’s obligation to the knight?

Manorial System An economic system in the Middle Ages that was built around large estates called manors Included a village and the land surrounding it

Manorial System Manors were self sufficient Most things needed for daily life were produced on the manor

Manorial System Serfs Peasants who lived and worked on the lord’s manor Were not allowed to leave the manor or marry without the lord’s permission Were allowed to farm on the manor in return for work Lords were required to protect the serfs

Manorial System The life of a serf was harsh Worked long hours few lived past 35 years old Based on heredity You were a serf if you parents were

Manorial System The Harshness of Manor Life Peasants pay taxes to use mill and bakery; pay a tithe to priest Tithe—a church tax—is equal to one-tenth of a peasant’s income Serfs live in crowded cottages with dirt floors, straw for beds Worked long hours raising crops, livestock; feeding and clothing family Poor diet, illness, malnutrition make life expectancy 35 years Serfs generally accept their lives as part of God’s plan

Manorial System Freemen skilled workers who paid rent to nobles and could leave the manor Ex. Blacksmith and millers

Let’s see how much you remember! Manorial System Let’s see how much you remember! Everyone owed loyalty to the ________ Nobles were near the top of the social hierarchy . They got _______ from the king. Lesser nobles (knights) gave _________ _________ in return for land _______ were bound to the land. They worked in return for ____________. __________ were skilled workers. They paid rent to the ______ and were free to move if they wanted to.

Check Your Answers Everyone owed loyalty to the king. Nobles were near the top of the social hierarchy. They got land from the king. Lesser nobles (knights) gave military service in return for land. Serfs were bound to the land. They worked in return for protection. Freemen were skilled workers. They paid rent to the nobles and were free to move if they wanted to.

Closure What was the Manorial System How were manors self sufficient? Explain why feudalism developed in western Europe.