1. Chapter 8: The Rise of Europe
Section 2
Feudalism and the Manor Economy

2. The Emergence of Feudalism
Feudalism: a new political & social system that governed medieval life
Loosely organized system of rule --- powerful lords divided land among lesser lords (vassals)
In return: vassals pledged loyalty and service to greater lords
Feudal contract: exchange of pledges between lord and vassal established by custom/tradition
Unwritten
Blade of grass or handful of earth was symbolic of a binding contract

3. Feudal contract: obligations of an upper lord (Duke)
Granted vassal (Earl) a fief – estate/tract of land
Peasants & towns/buildings on the land
Promise of protection in times of war
Guardian to vassal’s children if vassal died during warfare

4. Feudal contract: obligations of a vassal
Pledged loyalty
Provided lord with approx. 40 days of military service a year
Provided payments (food, goods, etc.) and sometimes advice
Payments made during knighthood of a lord’s son or marriage of a lord’s daughter

5. Structured society --- Complex system

6. French Nobility Titles
Duc: possessor of a duchy
Marquis: possessor of a marquesate
Comte: possessor of a county
Vicomte: possessor of a viscounty
Baron: possessor of a barony
Prince: possessor of a principality
Seigneur: title of “sir” followed by name of fief

7. English Titles Duke: comes from Latin Dux or leader
Marquess: comes from French Marquis/form of marche or English borders with Wales and Scotland
Earl: from Anglo-Saxon eorl or military leader
Viscount: from Latin vicecomes or vice-count
Baron: from Germanic baro or freeman
Baronet: a lesser baron
Knight: from Anglo-Saxon cniht or boy/youth/servant

8. The World of Nobles: Knighthood
_________was a way of life
Rival lords battled for power
Many boys were trained to be knights (mounted warriors) – began during time of Charlemagne
Sent to castle of his father’s lord for strict training (Page-Squire-Knighthood)
1100s: tournaments (mock battles) came into fashion – were dangerous – captured knights often held for ransom

9. Castles Fortified homes built by powerful lords to withstand attack
Protected by high walls, a moat, drawbridges, towers, a keep, etc.
Wars often centered on seizing castles.

10. Noblewomen Acted as “lady of the manor” while husband was off fighting
Supervised vassals, managed household, spun wool into thread, performed agricultural & medical tasks
Only a few privileged women took a hand in politics or learned to read and write.
Feudal system restricted women’s rights to inherit land (passed to eldest son) – women did receive land as part of their dowry, a gift of property or money passed to her husband.
Marriages were arranged.

11. Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) “The Grandmother of Europe”
Married King Louis VII of France at age 15 – had 2 daughters – marriage was annulled
Went on the 2nd Crusade
Married King Henry II of England – gave birth to 5 sons & 3 daughters
Failed in an attempt (with 2 of her sons) to overthrow Henry & spent 15 years in prison
Son Richard the Lionheart became King of England & freed her from prison

12. Chivalry Chivalry was a code of conduct adopted by knights
Knights required to be brave and loyal, fight fairly and treat captured knights fairly
Troubadours (wandering poets) held women on a pedestal – their love songs praised the beauty, perfection and wit of women

13. In your notebooks! Read Peasants and Manor Life (pgs. 189-190)
In your notebooks explain the responsibilities of a lord and peasant in the manorial system
Describe (or sketch) the setup of a typical medieval manor.
Briefly describe peasant life on the manor.