Middle Age

FEUDALISM

The Middle Ages is the long period between the V and XV: A thousand years of history where the world changes.It is divided into two periods.

After the fall of the Roman Empire and

the arrival of the barbarians, Europe will

become an insecure area with

constant invasions of the Hungarian people, Normans,

Vikings and Muslims. 

The growing insecurity along with the crisis that Europe had suffered with the fall of the Roman Empire, it produces two very closely related phenomena:RURALIZATIONSELF-SUFFICIENCYAfter the year 1000, ending the era of invasions and economic and demographics recovery begins.

The farmers looked for the protection

of the landowners and, in turn, gave them a piece of land. This

led to the development of the feudal and feudal

lords, and the origin of feudalism. 

Kings were losing power and the landowners were buil

ding castles and gathering armies to defend themselves.

XI Century

XIII Century

XV Century

Privileged

Not Privileged

KING

Noble

s, Knig

hts a

nd

Monks

Serfs

FEUDAL PYRAMI

D

AGREEMENT BETWEEN LORD AND SERVANT

Military and economical protection

FidelityPay

taxesWorkHelp

Ceremony of agreement

Those who sought

their protection to the feudal lords, land

and in return

received a number of

duties that made them vassal

s of these peopl

e.

The farmer had to work the Lord’s lands a few days a week and pay taxes on the use of their piece of land as well as the use of the resources of the feuds (mills, wood,etc.)

THE FEUDAL LAND SYSTEM

THE ROL OF THE CLERY

Feudalism

The medieval world was essentially Christian. In which the clergy was one of the privileged groups. The church had tremendous power in all aspects of society: economic, political and cultural.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE The medieval

Church consolidated its economic power through:Donations of money or land (in exchange for the salvation of the soul of the donor).The collection of tithes for which they received 10% of production.

Political Importance

The papacy strengthens its power over the nobles and kings (they try to impose the authority of Christianity).

Struggles between kings and the clergy for power (Investiture Controversy).

Cultural Importance

The church led the medieval world culture through:Translation of books in the monasteries.Regulatory and civilizing influence.Importance of pilgrimages.

The monastery was the cultural center of the Middle Ages. It worked as a great fiefdom, with lands and vassals under him. 

In the Middle Ages distinguished between two types of priests:  

SECULAR priests who

ran the parish and

lived among the laity.

REGULARMonks and

nuns in monasteries.

The Crusades The Crusades wars were promoted by the papacy to conquer the Holy Land from

the Muslims.

These military expeditions joined many knights, nobles and kings of Europe who

came with their armies.

From 1095 to 1270 seven crusades took place and eventually failed.

However, in the commercial

and contact between people, the

Crusades helped develop trade between

East and West.Video

LOW MIDDLE AGE

The years went by and some small towns were growing, the population grew and cities began to emerge. These cities were gradually becoming: Economic centers based on trade and crafts.

Cultural centers thanks to the birth of universities.

With these changes, a new class, the bourgeoisie, which became more powerful and came to confront the

power of the nobility.

These are the characteristics of the late Middle Ages that begins in the thirteenth century.

THE ROUTE OF SPICES AND SILK

BOURGEOISIE

The bourgeoisie were urban middle class residents who

did not depend on any feudal relation. The

bourgeoisie gradually gains economic and social power.

BOURGEOISIE: THE END OF FEUDALISM

New institutions such as municipalities, which were the organs of city government,

defense and taxation. They were elected by all

citizens.

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Cities are the commercial center on a larger scale. 

Trade is done with other areas, with products made in the city.Banking companies develop and the use of money becomes

popular.Merchants are organized in unions, associations of the same offices

to regulate production, prices and sales.

Fairs (markets) were organized.

Trade routes are established.

The crafts industry emerges.

END OF FEUDALISM As the feudal economy was an obstacle to

commercial trade Bourgeois became allies of the kings who supported them with money to buy weapons and pay an army to overpower feudal lords and this way they were able to unite the territory under the rule of the king. That king in exchange would make laws in favor of the bourgeoisie. And this is how large European nations emerged and were ruled by Kings.