1. Feudalism & Manor Life
World History
March12, 2014

2. The Emergence of Feudalism
After the fall of Rome Europe was divided into smaller factions
These small groups were unable to protect themselves from invaders
Barbaric tribes, the Vikings, and the Moors were threatening to take over smaller cities & civilizations
The idea of feudalism emerged in a response to a need for protection
This system is based on mutual obligations between lords & vassals
Known as a feudal contract
The lord promised to protect his vassal and the vassal promised loyalty and service

4. A Structured Society Everyone had a place in feudal society Monarch
King & Queen
Lords
Dukes or Counts
Held the largest fiefs
Vassals
Members of the noble class
Often times vassals had their own vassals
Means they could be both vassals and lords
Knights
The warrior elite
Serfs
The lowest members of society
This made up a majority of the population

5. Kings & Queens In the feudal age, the King was at the head of society
He owned and controlled the land, made set rules and guidelines
The king collected tax money from the people
This is how he gained most of his wealth
All of his land was divided up and given to lords
These lords could control their land however they wanted to
Includes making laws, collecting tax money, raising a military, maintaining the upkeep of their manor
This made the monarch a “figurehead” ruler

6. The World of Nobles
During the Middle Ages, many nobles lived in castles
They were designed to withstand attack
Also symbolized wealth and power
Noblewomen were respected and valued in society
When her husband was out fighting, often the women would take over their jobs
Women were valued but had little rights
They could not own land
Would have arranged marriages
Would often come with a dowry
Had very traditional roles

7. Medieval Knights Knights had to be of noble birth
Many nobles trained from childhood for an occupation as a knight
They often went through harsh and rigorous training
Being dubbed a knight was an honorable event
As feudal warfare decreased in the 1100s, tournaments became popular
This allowed knights to win land, money and popularity
Knights adopted a code of conduct called chivalry

8. Feudal Warfare Each manor operated independently
Had their own laws, economy, produce, army
Europe was NOT united at this time
Lords who led each manor wanted power
Land gives power
Resources
Farmland
People
Because of this, feudal warfare was very common
Feudal Warfare = war or fighting between the different feudal manors
Knights would defend their lords from invaders and other lords and their armies

9. Manor Life The heart of the medieval economy
Manor = lord’s estate
The manor was self-sufficient
The economy was based on mutual obligations
Peasants gave their lord a lifetime of labor
In return the lord allowed peasants to farm for themselves & gained protection
Manors included…
A few dozen one room huts
Water mills
A small church
The manor house/castle
Strips of farmland

12. Peasant Life Most peasants on manors were serfs Life was harsh
Serf = peasants bound to the lord’s land
They were not slaves who could be bought of sold but they also were not free
Life was harsh
They worked long hours
Their diet was very basic, only what they could produce
They slept in 1 room houses with any animals that they owned
They could only work according to the season
They had to work hard in the warm seasons and then find other ways to make money in the off season
They made up the majority of the population