Transcript feudalism+manorialism

FEUDALISM
The Political & Military Order of the
Middle Ages
What is Feudalism?
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Chaos of a collapsed
empire
Rural & Decentralized
Europe
Political/ Military
Ties:
Unplanned,
Local,
Military necessity
Feudal Ties
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A Vassal Gets:
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• Fief
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A Vassal Gives:
• Military Service
• Aid
• Hospitality & Suit to
Court
A Lord Gives:
• Fief (land)
• Private Law
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A Lord Gets:
• Loyalty
• Trained, equipped
men for military
service
• Payment of Aid
Feudal Vocabulary
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Origins: Comitatus
Fiefs
Vassalage
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Homage
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Non-Christian
origins, impact on
Christianity
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Oath of Fealty
Investituture
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Feudal Ties
Law
Military service to
inheritance
Primogeniture
Subinfeudation
Double Homage
Liege Lord
Feudal Society
Homage
Chivalry
A Military Code
• Honor
• Respect for Other
Knights
• Virtues:
– Bravery
– Loyalty
Ideals vs. Reality
• A Knight was a hero,
gentleman, and saint
• Speak the truth,
defend the poor,
defend the church
• Reality: Murderers,
church robbers, cruel
but effective warriors
Taming Knights
• Women
• Church
– Truce of God
– Peace of God
MANORIALISM
How the Other 97% Lives
The Manor & Its Inhabitants
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Fits within Feudalism
A medieval village
Peasants and the lord
The peasants’ land the
the demesne
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Villein (or serf)
Freemen
Half-villeins
Cottagers and slaves
Work on the Manor
• Peasants’ fees and special
services
• Farming methods
• Special offices:
– Steward
– Bailiff
– Reeve
• Women’s Role
– Noble
– Peasant
A Peasant’s Year
October
November
February
March
June
July
September