The Middle Ages
Medieval Life Feudalism & Peasants
FeudalismA loosely organized economic system of rule in which
powerful local lords divided their landholdings among lesser
lords.It provides protection to the common people in return for
work.This is a political system based on land control.The king owns
ALL land.
27.6.3
The king owns the land !!!
FeudalismEmerges from 850 to 950.A lord (ruler of a territory)
gives fiefs (land grants/estate) in exchange for services. Vassals
a lesser lord in the system of Feudalism.They receive the
fiefsBecome powerful landholders
47.6.3
The Feudal PyramidPower in feudal system much like a pyramid,
with king at the topKings are served by nobles who are served by
knights; Knights (mounted warriors) defend their lords land in
exchange for fiefspeasants at bottom
57.6.3
The Feudal System
67.6.3
Medieval feudal system classifies people into three social
groups: those who fight: nobles and knightsthose who pray: monks,
nuns, leaders of the Church (clergy)those who work: Peasant
(serfs)
Social Classes
87.6.3
Social ClassesSocial class is usually inheritedMajority of
people are peasantsMost peasants are serfspeople lawfully bound to
place of birthSerfs arent slaves, but what they produce belongs to
their lord
97.6.3
The Lords EstateThe lords estate, or a manor, has an economic
system (manorial system)Serfs and free peasants maintain the lords
estateGrow foodgrain, etc The lord provides housing, farmland,
protection from bandits
107.6.3
Manor SystemThe manor was the heart of feudal lifelords
estateMedieval manors include lords house, church, workshops,
village
117.6.3
Manor SystemThey cover a few square miles of land and are
largely self-sufficient.Most of the population were serfs.
127.6.3
Manor SystemMost serfs never traveled farther than a few miles
away during their entire lives.
137.6.3
Feudalism
Think of Feudalism like this:You have two cows.Your lord takes
some of your milk..and anything else he wants.
147.6.3
Manor SystemPeople lived in small villages and nearly everyone
had to farm to provide enough food. (agriculture!)If everyone is
farmer, there are no artists, lawyers, teachers, etc.This made the
loss of knowledge even worse.
15Simpsons - Agriculture
Medieval life
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Peasants
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Lowest of the social classes.Peasants did hard, physical work
and received very little for it.Even simple things like wood had to
be paid for.Life was not fun.
Peasants
19Terry Jones Medieval Lives - Peasants
The Harshness of Manor LifePeasants pay taxes to use mill and
bakerypay a tithe (church tax) to priestone-tenth of a peasants
incomeSerfs live in crowded cottages with dirt floors, straw for
beds
207.6.3
The Harshness of Manor LifeDaily grind of raising crops,
livestock; feeding and clothing family.Poor diet, illness,
malnutrition make life expectancy 30-35 years.Serfs generally
accept their lives as part of Gods plan.
217.6.3
FoodMeat was rarely in their diet. Bread/vegetablesEverything
had to be boiled because of the fertilizer used.Human pooMain food
was pottage.Youd take whatever food you could and boil it.
22Terry Jones Medieval Lives - Peasants
Church InfluenceAlmost everything people did, believed or
thought was centered around the church.Heaven and Hell were very
real to them.If the church told you to do something, you did it
almost entirely without question.
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