Early Medieval Europe FEUDALISM

Following the death of Charlemagne, central government again weakened and disappeared in Europe. His successors were unable to provide protection for the people against outside invasion. Trade and communication declined once again. Local communities were forced to become self-sufficient and sought ways to protect themselves. The result was a new political, social, and economic system which provided for the needs of local people. This system became known as Feudalism. By the mid 1000’s feudalism had become a way of life throughout Western Europe.

Origins of Feudalism u Feudalism began in France in the late 800’s following the death of Charlemagne u Feudalism arose primarily as a means of protection against invaders, especially the Vikings u Feudalism spread throughout Europe over the next two centuries

What is Feudalism?  A political system of local government and military defense  A social system of distinct class based on land holding  An economic system of self-sufficient manors

Feudalism as a Political System  Fiefs - Large tracts of land granted to vassals in return for service and loyalty  Vassals - People who were given fiefs in return for service and loyalty  Lords - Nobles who owned large tracts of land called fiefs to vassals in return for service and loyalty

King Powerful Lord Lesser Lord Lesser Lord Lesser Lord Lesser Lord Lesser Lord Lesser Lord Peasants Protection Fiefs Service Loyalty Knights Protection Fiefs Service Loyalty

UPPER King Powerful Lords Lesser Lords MIDDLE LOWER Knights Clergy Serfs and Peasants

Feudal Society u King - Owned all land u Nobles - Vassals of kings called Lords who controlled large tracts of land u Knights - Lowest and most numerous group of nobles Clergy - Priests, monks, nuns Serfs & Peasants- Working poor who worked lived and worked on the land of lords. Serfs were bound to land through oath of loyalty to a lord. Usually uneducated. Served several days a year in the lord’s army. Upper Class Middle Class Lower Class

Feudalism as an Economic System manor Manoralism The most important aspect of the feudal system was the large estate called a manor. The manor acted as a self-sufficient economic unit and generally ranged from 500 to 5000 acres. The economic system of feudalism is therefore known as Manoralism

Feudalism as an Economic System Farm and Pasture Land The Lord’s land - best of the land. Usually 1/3 of the manor Serf’s land - Spread throughout the manor. Usually poor in fertility The Lord’s Castle Center of political and military activity. Provided protection during attack The Village Contained serf’s huts, artisan’s shops, and the lord wine press, flour mill, and baking ovens. Villagers paid the lord to use the facilities. A typical manor consisted of the following:

Medieval Manor

Knighthood The lowest level of nobility was the knight. Generally, the sons of nobles would be trained as knights beginning at an early age. Eventually, the knight might become a lord after inheriting the wealth and land of his father. Others could become knights too. There were two types of knights:

Knights of the Bath Page At age 7, the young boy was sent to the castle of a lord where he waited on his host and learned manners. He spent leisure time hunting and playing war games with other pages Sons of nobles trained to become knights. They were trained in three stages:

Around age 14, the page would be promoted to a squire. He was assigned to a knight and would help him with weapons and armor. He traveled with the knight into battle and practiced his skills. Squire

At age 21, the squire became a full fledged knight. He first took an elaborate bath to wash away the impurities of body and soul. He spent a day fasting and a night praying. The lord dubbed him a knight by tapping him on the shoulder with a sword. Knight

Knights of the Field A young man could occasionally become a knight by showing valor on the battlefield.A young man could occasionally become a knight by showing valor on the battlefield. He could be knighted by a lord without going through formal training He could be knighted by a lord without going through formal training

The Code of Chivalry 1. Loyalty to God and the knights lord 2. Protection of the oppressed and poor 3. Courage, courtesy, and generosity 4. Support of justice 5. Defense of Christianity Code of Chivalry Late in the period of feudalism, a code of conduct developed that would change feudal life. This code, called the Code of Chivalry stressed:

Decline of Feudalism Feudalism began to gradually disappear in the late 1100’s. Disease, ignorance, poverty, and superstition dominated the feudal era and contributed to its demise. However, the two main reasons for the decline were the Crusades and the Rise of Nation States. The Crusades ( ) Four major religious wars in which Europeans attempted to reclaim the Holy Land from the Muslims. Europeans were introduced to eastern ideas and goods. As the demand for eastern goods increased, feudal economies began to weaken. The Rise of Nation States Between the 14th and 17th centuries, nation states developed powerful governments headed by absolute monarchs. Feudal governments weakened as a result.

Decline of Feudalism The longbow weakened the power of knights and led to a decline in feudalism.