FEUDALISM AND THE FEUDALISM AND THE MANOR ECONOMYMANOR ECONOMY

FeudalismFeudalism

With the Vikings, Muslims, and With the Vikings, Muslims, and Magyars on the lose the people Magyars on the lose the people needed protection on the local level. needed protection on the local level.

Feudalism provides that protection.Feudalism provides that protection.

Feudalism also provides a cultural Feudalism also provides a cultural center for the people – the manorcenter for the people – the manor

How does it workHow does it work

A king grants control of some of his A king grants control of some of his lands, a lands, a fieffief, to powerful local lords , to powerful local lords called called vassalsvassals..

The vassals promised military The vassals promised military service, money and loyalty to the service, money and loyalty to the king. The military service was king. The military service was generally 40 days a year.generally 40 days a year.

How does it work pt. IIHow does it work pt. II

The vassals were given more land The vassals were given more land then they could effectively govern then they could effectively govern and protect themselves. They too and protect themselves. They too had lesser lords (Knights) that they had lesser lords (Knights) that they let administer some of the fief the let administer some of the fief the king gave them. Finally the Serfs king gave them. Finally the Serfs worked and paid taxes (grain) in worked and paid taxes (grain) in return for protection from bandits return for protection from bandits and invaders and invaders

Peasants (Serfs)Peasants (Serfs)

Not slaves. Not free either. Bound Not slaves. Not free either. Bound to the land to the land

Mutual obligations:Mutual obligations:– Peasants paid fees, worked on farm, Peasants paid fees, worked on farm,

maintenance, etc.maintenance, etc.– Lords allowed peasants to farm their Lords allowed peasants to farm their

land too and offered protection.land too and offered protection.

ManoralismManoralismA self-sufficient EconomyA self-sufficient Economy

Agricultural RevolutionAgricultural Revolution

New farming technologies New farming technologies iron plow harness windmill three-field systemiron plow harness windmill three-field system

IncreaseIncrease inin foodfood productionproduction

4

Population explosionPopulation explosion

Between 1000 and 1300, the population of Europe Between 1000 and 1300, the population of Europe doubled.doubled.

In 732 at the Battles of Tours and PoitiersIn 732 at the Battles of Tours and Poitiers The Franks under Charles Martel (the The Franks under Charles Martel (the

Hammer) defeat the Muslims who had Hammer) defeat the Muslims who had been advancing north from Spain.been advancing north from Spain.

By the late 900s the Vikings and Magyars By the late 900s the Vikings and Magyars (Hungarians) had converted to (Hungarians) had converted to Christianity and settled down to become Christianity and settled down to become EuropeansEuropeans

This creates Stability and creates an This creates Stability and creates an atmosphere for renewed TRADEatmosphere for renewed TRADE

Trade RevivesTrade Revives

This population explosion meant that This population explosion meant that people needed/wanted new things people needed/wanted new things from other places.from other places.

Armed caravans began to move Armed caravans began to move along new trade routes.along new trade routes.

Trade brings changesTrade brings changes

Trade Trade Trade Fairs Trade Fairs New Towns New Towns

New moneyNew money

Business: Partnerships, insurance, Business: Partnerships, insurance, banking, banking, bills of exchangebills of exchange, etc., etc.

Trade brings changesTrade brings changes

Social ChangesSocial Changes– Serfdom disappears, tenant farmers by Serfdom disappears, tenant farmers by

1300.1300.– Merchants, traders form up the middle Merchants, traders form up the middle

class.class.– Loans, or Loans, or usuryusury

GuildsGuilds

GuildsGuilds were associations of artisans were associations of artisans and merchants of similar economic and merchants of similar economic interests.interests.

How to become a guild member?How to become a guild member?– ApprenticeApprentice– JourneymanJourneyman – Women?Women?