THE M

IDDLE

AGES

FEUDALISM

Political and Social system

Result of Viking, Magyar, and Muslim invasions

Knights provided military services and loyalty

Lords gave land

MANORIAL SYSTEM

Economic System

Lords/Nobles owned manors

Serfs/Peasants farmed fields

Received land and protection

Provided labor

***Not slaves

Could be free people renting the land

MAGNA CARTA

Nobles were scared the king would abuse his power

In 1219, King John tried to raise the nobles taxes

Nobles forced King John to accept Magna Carta

Outlined nobles rights, restricted the kings powers

Importance of the Magna Carta grew years after it was signed

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Pope = Head of Catholic Church

Monks = Peace makers in disputes and prayed for safety of rulers and armies

Church officials = Teachers and record keepers

Religious figure heads highly influenced the people and became powerful political figures

CHURCH REFORMS

In 1049, Pope Leo IX believed the clergy were corrupt and his mission was to fix it

Replaced or excommunicated bishops who were guilty of corruption

Excommunication = Cast out of the church

CHURCH REFORMS CONT.

Not everyone agreed with Pope Leo IX’s reforms

Patriarch, Bishop of Constantinople, was excommunicated

Split Church in half

Those who agreed with Leo IX = Roman Catholic

Those who agreed with Patriarch = Orthodox

Pope’s gained religious and political power and influence