Early Medieval Early Medieval EuropeEurope

FEUDALISMFEUDALISM

Following the death of Charlemagne, central government again weakened and disappeared in Europe. His successors were unable to provide protection for the people against outside invasion. Trade and communication declined once again. Local communities were forced to become self-sufficient and sought ways to protect themselves. The result was a new political, social, and economic system which provided for the needs of local people. This system became known as Feudalism. By the mid 1000’s feudalism had become a way of life throughout Western Europe.

Origins of Origins of FeudalismFeudalism

Feudalism began in France in the late 800’s following the death of Charlemagne

Feudalism arose primarily as a means of protection against invaders, especially the Vikings

Feudalism spread throughout Europe over the next two centuries

What is Feudalism?What is Feudalism?

A political system of local government and military defense

A social system of distinct class based on land holding

An economic system of self-sufficient manors

Feudalism as a Political System Fiefs - Large tracts of land granted

to vassals in return for service and loyalty

Vassals - People who were given fiefs in return for service and loyalty

Lords - Nobles who owned large tracts of land called fiefs to vassals in return for service and loyalty

King

Powerful Lord Powerful LordPowerful Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Peasants Peasants Peasants

Protection

FiefsService

Loyalty

Knights Knights Knights Knights Knights Knights

Knights Knights Knights Knights KnightsKnights

ProtectionFiefs

ServiceLoyalty

UPPER King

Powerful LordsLesser Lords

MID

DLE

LOW

ER

Knights

Clergy

Serfs and Peasants

Feudal SocietyFeudal Society KingKing - Owned all land - Owned all land Nobles Nobles - - Vassals of kings called Lords who Vassals of kings called Lords who

controlled large tracts of landcontrolled large tracts of land Knights Knights - - Lowest and most numerous group of Lowest and most numerous group of

noblesnobles

Clergy Clergy - Priests, monks, nuns - Priests, monks, nuns

Serfs & Peasants- Serfs & Peasants- Working poor who worked lived and Working poor who worked lived and worked on the land of lords. Serfs were bound to land worked on the land of lords. Serfs were bound to land through oath of loyalty to a lord. Usually uneducated. through oath of loyalty to a lord. Usually uneducated. Served several days a year in the lord’s army. Served several days a year in the lord’s army.

Upper ClassUpper Class

Middle ClassMiddle Class

Lower ClassLower Class

Feudalism as an Economic SystemFeudalism as an Economic System

The most important aspect of the feudal system was the large estate called a manormanor. The manor acted as a self-sufficient economic unit and generally ranged from 500 to 5000 acres. The economic system of feudalism is therefore known as ManoralismManoralism

Feudalism as an Feudalism as an Economic SystemEconomic System

Farm and Pasture LandFarm and Pasture Land• The Lord’s land - best of the land. Usually 1/3 of the

manor• Serf’s land - Spread throughout the manor. Usually

poor in fertility

The Lord’s CastleThe Lord’s Castle• Center of political and military activity. • Provided protection during attack

The VillageThe Village• Contained serf’s huts, artisan’s shops, and the lord wine

press, flour mill, and baking ovens. Villagers paid the lord to use the facilities.

A typical manor consisted of the following:

Medieval ManorMedieval Manor

KnighthoodKnighthoodThe lowest level of nobility was The lowest level of nobility was the knight. Generally, the sons of the knight. Generally, the sons of nobles would be trained as nobles would be trained as knights beginning at an early knights beginning at an early age. Eventually, the knight might age. Eventually, the knight might become a lord after inheriting the become a lord after inheriting the wealth and land of his father. wealth and land of his father. Others could become knights too. Others could become knights too. There were two types of knights: There were two types of knights:

Knights of the BathKnights of the Bath

PagePage •At age 7, the young boy was sent to the castle of a lord where he waited on his host and learned manners.

•He spent leisure time hunting and playing war games with other pages

Sons of nobles trained to become knights. They were trained in three stages:

•Around age 14, the page would be promoted to a squire.

•He was assigned to a knight and would help him with weapons and armor.

•He traveled with the knight into battle and practiced his skills.

SquireSquire

•At age 21, the squire became a full fledged knight.

•He first took an elaborate bath to wash away the impurities of body and soul.

•He spent a day fasting and a night praying.

•The lord dubbed him a knight by tapping him on the shoulder with a sword.

KnightKnight

Knights of the FieldKnights of the Field•A young man could A young man could

occasionally become a occasionally become a knight by showing valor knight by showing valor on the battlefield. on the battlefield. • He could be knighted by He could be knighted by

a lord without going a lord without going through formal trainingthrough formal training

The Code of ChivalryThe Code of Chivalry

1. Loyalty to God and the knights lord2. Protection of the oppressed and poor3. Courage, courtesy, and generosity4. Support of justice5. Defense of Christianity

Late in the period of feudalism, a code of conduct developed that would change feudal life. This code, called the Code Code of Chivalryof Chivalry stressed:

Decline of FeudalismFeudalism began to gradually disappear in the Feudalism began to gradually disappear in the late 1100’s. Disease, ignorance, poverty, and late 1100’s. Disease, ignorance, poverty, and superstition dominated the feudal era and superstition dominated the feudal era and contributed to its demise. However, the two contributed to its demise. However, the two main reasons for the decline were the Crusades main reasons for the decline were the Crusades and the Rise of Nation States.and the Rise of Nation States.

The Crusades (1095-1291)The Crusades (1095-1291) Four major religious wars in which Europeans attempted to reclaim the Holy Land from the Muslims. Europeans were introduced to eastern ideas and goods. As the demand for eastern goods increased, feudal economies began to weaken.The Rise of Nation StatesThe Rise of Nation StatesBetween the 14th and 17th centuries, nation states developed powerful governments headed by absolute monarchs. Feudal governments weakened as a result.

Decline of Feudalism

The longbow weakened the power of knights and led to a decline in feudalism.