Feudalism & Manorial System

I. Invaders Attack W. Euro : invasions helped destroy Carolingian Emp : invasions helped destroy Carolingian Emp. –Muslims –Magyar –Vikings

A. The Vikings From Scandinavia From Scandinavia “Northman” or the “Norse” (Germanic) “Northman” or the “Norse” (Germanic) Farmers, fishermen, hunters, traders, & explorers Farmers, fishermen, hunters, traders, & explorers “a-Viking” we will go! (summer months) “a-Viking” we will go! (summer months) 800s = food shortage in Scan. 800s = food shortage in Scan.

Viking ships Viking ships Sailed across Atlantic to Iceland, Greenland, & N. Amer. (Leif Ericson) Sailed across Atlantic to Iceland, Greenland, & N. Amer. (Leif Ericson) Also, England, Ireland, & Fr. Also, England, Ireland, & Fr. –Normandy Traded w/strong, pillaged weak Traded w/strong, pillaged weak Enjoyed battle (large axes, swords, & wooden shields) Enjoyed battle (large axes, swords, & wooden shields)

Followed pagan beliefs Followed pagan beliefs 1000: Vikings faded 1000: Vikings faded –Gradually accepted Christianity –Euro. climate warmed…ag. improved

B. Magyars & Muslims Attack Magyars: nomads from east (late 800s) Magyars: nomads from east (late 800s) –Tactics similar to Huns –Become the “Hungarians” –Overran Italy, reached Rhineland & Burgundy –Did not settle conquered land, only took slaves –Settled in what is now Hungary

Muslims: attacked from south (Italy & Spain) Muslims: attacked from south (Italy & Spain) –Terrorized Med. coast—took Sicily, Sardinia, & Corsica Invasions = disorder & suffering Invasions = disorder & suffering –Euros. were in constant danger –Turned to local rulers for security

II. Feudalism Govt. disappeared after Char’s. death 814 Govt. disappeared after Char’s. death 814 Continent of small, independent local govts. Continent of small, independent local govts. Feudalism: kings granted land to other nobles in return for loyalty & military assistance Feudalism: kings granted land to other nobles in return for loyalty & military assistance –Kings = gave grants of land (fief) to nobles  Lord = person who granted land  Vassal = person who received land –Fief = grant of land, contract betw. lord & vassal

A. Feudal Pyramid Hierarchical Pyramid Hierarchical Pyramid –King –Vassals (nobles & bishops) –Knights (defended lord’s land) –Peasants (landless)

B. Social Classes Three groups: Three groups: –1. those who fought –2. those who prayed –3. those who worked  Vast majority of pop.  Serfs (bound to place of birth)

Majority of pop. = peasants (serfs) Majority of pop. = peasants (serfs) –Could not leave the land w/out the lord’s permission Church = part of the feudal system Church = part of the feudal system –900s: owned vast amounts of land  granted some as fiefs to nobles for military protection

C. Feudal Relationships Three facts: Three facts: –1. it was an honorable relationship betw. equals –2. same man could be both vassal & lord –3. the relationship was a personal one

D. Obligations of Feudalism Vassals had more obligations than the lord Vassals had more obligations than the lord –Provide lord w/cavalry & infantry –Had to cover extraordinary expenses –Served on the lord’s court

E. Feudal Justice Court trials were decided: Court trials were decided: –1. trial by battle (duel) –2. compurgation (oath taking) –3. trial by ordeal

F. Warfare Fights betw. feudal lords or betw. lords & vassals Fights betw. feudal lords or betw. lords & vassals Knights: Knights: –Iron helmet, shirt of chain mail, sword, shield, lance  Later, metal plates replaced chain mail (Why?) *For nobles, war = opps. for glory & wealth!

III. The Manorial System Feudalism = govt. & military system Feudalism = govt. & military system Manorial System = economic structure Manorial System = economic structure –Large estate

Manor = lord’s estate Manor = lord’s estate Lord gave serfs housing, farmland, & protection Lord gave serfs housing, farmland, & protection Serfs tended land, animals, & performed maintenance Serfs tended land, animals, & performed maintenance Peasant women shared farmwork Peasant women shared farmwork No central authority or trade existed No central authority or trade existed –Manors were self-sufficient

Lord & peasants shared land Lord & peasants shared land –Lord = 1/3 of land (demesne) –Peasants = 2/3 of land Usually located on a stream for its mill Usually located on a stream for its mill Covered a few square miles Covered a few square miles Had lord’s house, church, & workshops Had lord’s house, church, & workshops Cultivated land was divided into 3 large fields Cultivated land was divided into 3 large fields –2 of 3 planted each year (1 lied fallow)

A. Peasant Life peasants = serfs peasants = serfs Some free people rented land Some free people rented land –Skilled workers (millers, blacksmiths, carpenters) Priests Priests Life on manor = very hard Life on manor = very hard –Meager diet –Rarely ate meat Life expectancy = 30 years (disease, starvation, war) Life expectancy = 30 years (disease, starvation, war)

B. The Life of Nobility Nobles did not lead luxurious lives Nobles did not lead luxurious lives Castle Castle –Fortified home of lord –Served as base from which to protect the surrounding countryside –Early castles = relatively simple built of wood & earth –Later = stone –Located in hills or easily defendable areas (had moats)