1. Feudal Society
Ch 24

2. Three Important Groups
Clergy Nobles Peasants

3. Who has the power? Power was based on land ownership
King owned all the land
Charles Martel rewarded soldiers with land (fiefs/estates)
Land ownership became tied to military service

4. How the nobles got their power…
Weak kings depended on nobles for food and horses
Nobles grew more powerful than the king and became independent rulers
Peasants became tied to nobles as they worked their land and turned to them for protection

5. Lord and Vassal Vassal Lord
I’m a less powerful noble. I swear to serve you and help you in battle. If your family celebrates a big event, I will give you money. If you are held hostage, I will pay your ransom.
I’m the most powerful noble. In return for your allegiance, I will give you a fief (estate) and the right to govern the people who live in your fief. Don’t forget our monthly meetings!
Vassal
Lord

6. The Home of a Noble Manor House Castle Wooden building
Palisade – wooden fence
One big room
Straw-covered floors
Ate with their hands
Castle
Fortress with stone walls
Drawbridge
Portcullis
Keep
Housed many people

7. Life as a Noble Ladies Noblemen Under authority of her husband
Arranged marriages
Married between age 12-21
Helped husbands run estate
Raised children
Took care of household
Cared for sick
Ran estate
Hunted and fished
Held court (parties)
Played chess
Listened to minstrels

8. Knighthood Nobles could be knights – warriors on horseback
Expected to follow a Code of Chivalry
Obey his Lord
Respect women
Help people in trouble
Be honest
Fight fairly

9. Knight’s Training Knight Good squires were promoted to knights
Page
Began at 7 years old
Helped knights take care of armor and horses
Squire
Promoted at 15 years old
Went into battle with the knight
Knight
Good squires were promoted to knights
Ceremony was called dubbing

10. Tournaments Contests of strength, skill, and endurance
Festive occasions that drew large audiences
Favorite event was the joust
Expensive and potentially deadly, but very popular

11. Life on the Manor Land divided into manors, or farming communities
Lord appointed officials to carry out his orders
Seneschal: visited fiefs and looked after them
Bailiff: made sure peasants worked hard
Lord lived in manor house or castle
Peasants lived in wood and dirt cottages with thatched roofs
See diagram on page 368

12. Freemen and Serfs Freemen Serfs
Peasants who paid the lord for the right to work the land
Still served the lord
Belonged to the lord
Worked for the lord
No freedom