1. Life on the Manor and Power of the Church
Unit 4: The Middle Ages
Life on the Manor and Power of the Church

2. Where the Dark Ages really dark?

3. Questions to consider... What is feudalism and how does it work?
How was the Church involved in people’s daily lives?

4. What is Feudalism?
The king (lord) would grant land (fief) to a noble (vassal) in exchange for loyalty.

5. What did feudalism provide?
Protection from invasion
No central government to provide security

6. Life on the Manor Manor: an agricultural estate operated by a lord
•Extremely self-sufficient
•Serfs and peasants raised or produced nearly everything
**What is being provided between the social classes?**

7. Social Structure
Lord Vassal Relationship Vassals had certain duties to perform for the lord
All nobles were ultimately vassals of the king (loyalty)

8. The Role of the Church Served as a unifying force
Provided security and salvation
Education for monks at Monasteries

9. Structure of the Church
The Church had different ranks of clergy, or religious officials
Pope was head of Church
All clergy, including bishops and priests fell under pope’s authority
For most people, local priests served as the main contact with the Church

10. Religion as a Unifying Force
Feudalism created division but Church teachings bonded them together
Provided people with a sense of security and of belonging to a religious community
Priests and other clergy administered sacraments
All were subject to canon law, or Church Law

11. Education
The Church offered the only place to receive an education in the Middle Ages
Monasteries were religious communities for men
Men in monasteries were called monks and gave up possessions to devote a life serving God
Women, or nuns, lived in convents

12. Result:
Throughout the Middle Ages, the power of the Church grew. It was able to provide unity, education, and strong empires even allowed popes to call for the bloody event known as The Crusades.