Transcript Post Classical civilizations:

• Take the following notes in your
notebook. You must take all of the
notes.
• Show Mr. Von Boeckman your notes
and he will stamp the notes.
• Then create a bubble map in Popplet
and either turn in in Edmodo or email it me.
Post Classical civilizations:
Feudal Society
Feudal Society
• System introduced by the Franks,
adopted by people for protection and to
provide for basic needs.
• Kings offered nobles a grant of land (fief)
in exchange for loyalty and service.
• The noble (vassal), gave homage
(allegiance) to the king.
• Feudalism helped people survive.
Social
• Strict class structure based on the
control of land and military power.
• Those born as serfs, knights, or lords
could not change their social position.
• Local lords (nobles) were given land in
exchange for military service.
• These lords had their own small armies
of knights—armed warriors on
horseback.
Political
• Leading nobles controlled political life.
• Built large castles for their own
protection.
• Surrounded themselves with knights.
• The king relied on his nobles for his
army, and the nobles often fought
among themselves or challenged the
king’s authority.
Economic
• Most people lived in manors—the lord’s
house and the peasants living in the
surrounding territory; known as
manorialism.
• Each manor was self-sufficient (produced
its own food, clothing, and shelter.)
• Varied in size depending upon the lord’s
wealth.
• Every noble had at least one manor.
Economic
• Serfs—peasant farmers—gave the
lord part of their harvest in
exchange for land and other
services.
• The lord protected the serfs and
had almost complete power over
them; could pass laws, require
labor, act as a judge.
Farming in the Middle Ages
• Each year only 2/3 of the land was
cultivated, letting the other 1/3 remain
fallow (uncultivated), so it could recover
its fertility.
• Known as the three-field system
• Farm animals were often small.
• Bad weather and poor harvest could lead
to famine and death (The Great Famine,
1315-1322)
Peasant Life-Styles
• Produced the food used by society.
• Most were farmers but some were
millers, blacksmiths, and tavern
owners.
• Life revolved around the agrarian
calendar.
• Lived in small towns or nearby farms
on their lord’s manor.
Peasant Life-Styles
• Typical house—two-room cottage with walls
of dried mud, plastered branches and straw,
and thatch roof.
• Earthen floors, a stool, table, and chest to hold
clothes.
• Stacks of straw served as beds for the entire
family.
• Water was drawn from a nearby well or
steam.
• Pigs and other farm animals often lived in the
house.
Women in the Middle Ages
• Role of women was determined by the
attitude of the Catholic church and nobility.
• Women were supposed to be obedient to
men.
• Women gave birth to large numbers of
children, most of which died in infancy.
• Noble women—prayer and domestic chores
• Peasant women—partnership with husband,
working side-by-side.
Left Side
•Make a bubble map about
Feudal Society on Popplet
and turn into Edmodo or
email Mrs. Larson
[email protected]