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.

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

Origins of FeudalismOrigins of Feudalism

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

Feudalism as a Political SystemFiefs - Large tracts of land

granted to someone in return for service and loyalty

Vassals - People who were granted land in return for service and loyalty

Lords - Nobles who granted fiefs to vassals in return for service and loyalty

King

King

Powerful Lord Powerful LordPowerful Lord

Protection

Fiefs

King

Powerful Lord Powerful LordPowerful Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Protection

Fiefs

King

Powerful Lord Powerful LordPowerful Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Knights Knights Knights Knights Knights KnightsKnights Knights Knights Knights Knights Knights

Protection

Fiefs

King

Powerful Lord Powerful LordPowerful Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Lesser Lord

Knights Knights Knights Knights Knights KnightsKnights Knights Knights Knights Knights Knights

Peasants Peasants Peasants

Protection

Protection

Service

Fiefs

Fiefs Loyalty

ServiceLoyalty

UPPER KingPowerful Lords

Lesser Lords

MID

DLE

LOWER

Knights

Clergy

Serfs

Feudal SocietyFeudal SocietyKing - Owned all landKing - Owned all landPowerful Lord - Royal Vassal of the KingPowerful Lord - Royal Vassal of the KingLesser Lord - Vassals of Powerful LordsLesser Lord - Vassals of Powerful LordsKnights - Lowest and most numerous group of Knights - Lowest and most numerous group of noblesnobles

Upper ClassUpper Class

Feudal SocietyFeudal SocietyKing - Owned all landKing - Owned all landPowerful Lord - Royal Vassal of the KingPowerful Lord - Royal Vassal of the KingLesser Lord - Vassals of Powerful LordsLesser Lord - Vassals of Powerful LordsKnights - Lowest and most numerous group of Knights - Lowest and most numerous group of noblesnobles

Clergy - Priests, monks, nuns, bishopsClergy - Priests, monks, nuns, bishops

Middle ClassMiddle Class

Upper ClassUpper Class

Feudal SocietyFeudal SocietyKing - Owned all landKing - Owned all landPowerful Lord - Royal Vassal of the KingPowerful Lord - Royal Vassal of the KingLesser Lord - Vassals of Powerful LordsLesser Lord - Vassals of Powerful LordsKnights - Lowest and most numerous group of Knights - Lowest and most numerous group of noblesnobles

Clergy - Priests, monks, nuns, bishopsClergy - Priests, monks, nuns, bishopsMiddle ClassMiddle Class

Upper ClassUpper Class

Lower ClassLower ClassSerfs - Bound to land through oath of loyalty to a Serfs - Bound to land through oath of loyalty to a lord. Usually uneducated. Served on lords manor lord. Usually uneducated. Served on lords manor and in the militaryand in the military

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 Economic SystemFeudalism as an Economic System

Farm 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 fertilityThe Lord’s Castle

• Center of political and military activity. • Provided protection during attack

A typical manor consisted of the following:

The VillageContained serf’s huts, artisan’s shops, and the lord wine press, flour mill, and baking ovens.

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

KnighthoodKnighthoodKnights of the BathKnights of the Bath

Page 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

Knights of the bath were sons of nobles trained to become knights. They were trained in three stages:

KnighthoodKnighthoodSquire

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.

KnighthoodKnighthoodKnight

Around age 21, the squire became a full fledged knight. He first had to take an elaborate bath to wash away the impurities of body and soul. He then spent a day fasting and a night praying. He then knelt before the lord who dubbed him a knight by tapping him on the shoulder with a sword.

KnighthoodKnighthood

Knights of the FieldA young man could occasionally become A young man could occasionally become a knight by showing valor on the a knight by showing valor on the battlefield. He could be knighted by a battlefield. He could be knighted by a lord without going through formal lord without going through formal trainingtraining

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 of Chivalry stressed:

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