Transcript Feudalism
Feudalism Medieval political system where land was grated from Lord to Vassal on the condition that each would fulfill obligations to the other. Why we call it the Dark Ages Decline of… Learning Cities Common Language Exploration Feudal Pyramid 3 types of Feudal People Fought = Nobles and Knights Prayed = Men and Women of the Church Worked = Peasants (Free or Serfs) Fief…Feeeefffffffff! What is a Fief? Also called Estate, this was land granted to a Vassal from a Lord. The land was given under the condition that both Lord and Vassal would exchange responsibilities. Vassal Who? Who is a Vassal? A person who received a grant of land from a lord in exchange for a pledge of loyalty and services. Oh Lord! What is a Lord? A person who owned land and who granted Fiefs to Vassals. A Lord can also be a Vassal to more Powerful Lord or King Responsibilities of Lord to Vassal Give Military Protection Knowledge Religious Information Land Fief and Peasants Food Weapons Treasure from Battle Housing Responsibilities of Vassal to Lord Pledge of Loyalty Labor (Farm Lords Land) Tax Give amount of their fiefs crop to Lord Pay to use grain mill Tax on Marriage Tax on Inheritance Fight for Lord in battle 40 to 60 days a year Tithe = 10% of income was paid to local village priest Peasants Freemen Serfs Paid Lord to farmland Only worked on their loaned land They moved and lived where they wanted to. Most Peasants were Serfs Serfs can not leave Manor that they were born in Many Rarely traveled more then 25 miles away from where they were born in lifetime. Could only marry when Lord gave permission Though bound to land, not a slave Can not be sold or bought By end of Middle Ages, could buy freedom Interesting Facts! Lords became more powerful then Kings Raised huge Armies and coined money A Vassal might be a servant to multiple Lords By 1000 AD, Kingdoms had been divided into thousands of feudal territories. Life on the Feudal Manor Self sufficient community 15-30 Families Lived in the Community Serfs, Peasants, and Nobleman lived together. Daily Life consisted of Farming and church Serfs and Peasants produced nearly all that everyone needed to live on. Peasants had no say in Manor laws and government unlike Greek or even Roman Times Feudal Manor Feudal Castle Tower of London, Most Famous Castle in England Knights Warriors that Pledge to defend their Lord for land or Fiefs. Many times were hired by multiple Lords to fight. Life long Job started at a very young age. Feudal Wars Because there were so many Manors, Knights would fight against Knights from other Manors for Land Knights were Paid Mercenaries or hired soldiers Life of a Knight Page Squire Knight Page childhood till 14 Young Noble Sent to another lords castle for training Learned manors and courtly behavior Studied war through chess and from older knights Some sword fighting Main role was to assist ladies of Lord Squire age 14 till 21 Became servant to a knight Took care of knights armor and weapons Cared for Knights Horse Training to fight on horseback Would have to rescue Knight during battle Knight age 21 and up Earned knighthood Became a Sir Would be hired by lords to fight in exchange for land Chivalry Set of Ideals Fight Bravely in defense of 3 Lord Heavenly Lord Lady Protect Weak and Poor Loyal, Brave and courteous A Knight without Chivalry… “A cowardly knight who disregarded the code of chivalry faced public shame. First, his armor was stripped off, his shield cracked, spurs cut off, sword broken over his head, then he was thrown in a coffin and dragged to church for a mock funeral.” Roles of Medieval Women Noble Women were called ladies Once married, husbands had complete control Most marriages were planed to unite families Married by 12 years old! Yikes! If single by 21, always single! Ladies Grab your Sword! If men were away from the castle, Ladies defended the castle, and dressed in armor, mounted on horseback, and leading the fight! Main duties were to care for household, supervise others, care for poor and sick. Some one say Tournament? Knights entered tournaments to… Test strength Skill Endurance Archery, horse joust, sword fighting and fencing Winners would get large ransoms from defeated knights Thought winner of tournament would be a great knight in battle…?