1. The Medieval Era (Middle Ages) & Feudal Society

2. The Middle Ages (Medieval Era)
Approx. 500CE – mid 1500s
Early CE
High 1000CE – 1300CE
Late CS
A time of growing populations & cities

3. The Middle Ages (Medieval Era)
Church was highly important
Strong Kings began to unite people under their leadership & Monarchies formed across much of Europe

4. The Middle Ages (Medieval Era)
P , 22-23

5. The Feudal System of the Middle Ages

6. What is Feudalism? Medieval Society was ruled by Feudalism
Feudalism was based on land, loyalty, and duty.
It was a simple, but effective system, where all land was owned by the King.
You could receive land (manor) by swearing loyalty to the king and adhering to your social duties.

8. Feudalism: A Hierarchy of Duty

9. Feudalism: A Hierarchy
People in society were organized into levels of importance and power – a hierarchy
Popes and bishops
Your position on this hierarchy was believed to be chosen by God.
Barons
Priests, knights, etc

10. The King Sworn to protect his vassal’s (those below him)
 Was in complete control of all the land in his Kingdom
Sworn to protect his vassal’s (those below him)

11. The King (con’t) He also decided who he would lease his land to.
Only men the King trusted were able to lease land from him.
These men were known as Lords.

12. The Nobles/Lords
Were responsible for defending & controlling their own Manors
Fought for their King in times of War
They established their own system of justice, minted their own money, and set their own taxes.

13. The Nobles/Lords (con’t)
In return for the land they received from the King, the Lords had many duties:
Serving the King
Paying rent
Provide the King with Knights when demanded
The Lords kept as much of their land as they wished for their own use, then divided the rest among their Knights. Lords were very rich.

14. Knights Highly trained mounted soldiers
Expected to be loyal to their King, Lord, and Church
Acted as law enforcement on behalf of their Lord.

15. Knights (Con’t)
Knights were given land by a Lord in return for military service.
Protect the Lord and his family, as well as the Manor, from attack.
The Knights kept as much of the land as they wished for their own personal use and distributed the rest to serfs.
Although not as rich as the Lords, Knights were quite wealthy.

16. Serfs/Peasants
Serfs were peasant farmers who were tied to the land & lord they worked
Paid taxes to their Lord
Some peasants worked as freemen in the trades (carpenters, shoemakers, or smiths) which were controlled by Guilds rather than a Lord

17. Serfs/Peasants (Con’t)
Serfs were given land by Knights.
They had to provide the Knight with free labour, food, and service whenever it was demanded.
Serfs had no rights.
They were not allowed to leave the Manor
Had to ask their Lord's permission before they could marry.
Serfs were poor. Serfs made up the majority of the population.

18. Church In the same level of importance as Lords
Were responsible for the Salvation of all people
Every Manor must have had at least one Church

19. KING: owns all land, governs the people
Higher Noblemen and barons
Job: swear allegiance to King and offer protection to all (Build armies)
In return: Given large pieces of land
CHURCH: (clergy, popes, bishops, priests)
Job: Provide salvation for all
In return: Given land
Lower nobility (knights):
Job: swear allegiance and protect all (fight)
In return: Given small pieces of land
PEASANTS/SERFS:
Job: Work on land and provide for all (pay rent to Church and nobles
In return: get to live on land, receive protection

20. Challenges to Feudal System
P. 24 The Peasants Revolt!

21. Check Your Understanding
Noble vs Serf Sensory Figure!