1. The Middle Ages
Feudalism in Europe

2. Key Terms
Lord
Fief
Vassal
Knight
Serf
Manor
Tithe

3. Invaders Attack Invasions destroyed the Carolingian Dynasty.
Vikings invaded from the North, raiding villages and monasteries
Magyars attacked from the East, coming from present-day Hungary and excellent horsementaking captives as slaves
Muslims attacked from the south with goal of conquering and settling in Europe

4. Protecting Lands Widespread disorder and suffering
Kings not able to defend their lands
People turned towards local rulers who had own armies, instead of centralized leaders, like kings
Rulers that could fight invaders gained followers and political strength

5. Feudalism
System of a king giving land to warriors in exchange for pledge of loyalty to the king
Based on rights and obligations
A lord, or landowner, gave land called a fief to a vassal , who pledged loyalty to the lord.

6. Feudal Pyramid

7. Feudalism
Kings were at the top of the pyramid and controlled the kingdom
Next on the pyramid was the wealthy landowners such as nobles and bishops who promised protection for the king in exchange for land
Knights then promised to defend the lords’ lands in exchange for a fief
Peasants were at the bottom of the pyramid and worked the fields in exchange for food and shelter.

8. Social Classes Status determined prestige and power
3 groups or classes
Those who fought (nobles and knights), those who prayed (men and women of the church), and those that worked (peasants)
Most people were peasants, and most peasants were serfs
Serfs could not leave land where they were born, but were not slaves (could not be bought or sold, and were allowed to live peacefully as long as lord was provided food)

9. Manors Economic piece to feudalism Manor was the lord’s estate
Lord provided serfs with housing, farmland, and protection
In return serfs tended land, cared for animals, and tasks to maintain the estate
All peasants owed lord a few days of labor per week and portion of their grain

10. Taxes on Peasants Taxed on all grain ground in the lord’s mill
Avoiding tax by not using the mill would be treated as a crime
Tax on marriage, and had to be approved by the lord
Tithe-church tax of 1/10 of your income

11. Life of a Peasant

12. Reflection
Describe the purpose of using feudalism.