feudalism and the manorial system
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Feudalism and the Manorial System. Feudalism. Feudalism: a political system with small, local, and independent leaders (local lords) The System: Powerful nobles (Lord) grant land (fief) to lesser nobles (vassal) - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Feudalism: a political system with small, local, and independent leaders (local lords)› The System:
Powerful nobles (Lord) grant land (fief) to lesser nobles (vassal)
Vassal promised loyalty, military assistance, and other services to the lord of the fief Vassals could further divide the land and grant it to
others such as knights, who would fight for them in war
A vassal could also be a lord
Fiefs became hereditary› Primogeniture: system of inheritance
from father to eldest son Women: generally did not control land,
but often had a fief as part of her dowry Kings: every land holder was a vassal
to the king, but only controlled those who lived on his feudal lands
The church: was part of the feudal system with their own fiefs and vassals
Common during the Middle Ages› Most were small, private fights between
feudal lords with a handful of knights› A few large conflicts involving entire
regions broke out Knights wore armor
Chain mail until gun powder was developed Later, overlapping metal plates were worn
Horses were large
Trial by Battle: a duel between accusers
Compurgation (Oath Taking): accuser supported by others who swore or took an oath of truth that the accuser was guilty/innocent
Trial by Ordeal: outcome of an ordeal determined the accused guilt/innocence
An economic system followed by people living on manors (large farming estates)› Farms were self-sufficient› A lord and several peasant families shared
the land of the manor The lord generally kept 1/3 of the land for his
home (domain) and peasant families gave the lord some of their crops as well as help farm the lord’s land.
Manor Villages› Usually located near a river or stream to
power the village mill Peasant Life (serfs)
› Life was difficult Serfs could not leave the land without
permission from the lord› Life expectancy was short (disease,
starvation, warfare)› Most peasants lived, worked, and died
where they were born.
Nobles’ Lifestyles› Today’s standard of living is better than kings
and queens of the middle ages (It wasn’t as glamorous as what is in the movies)
› A lord spent most of his days looking after his land and dispensing justice among vassals and serfs
› A lord or vassal depended on his wife and children for help.
› Marriage was viewed as a way to advance one’s fortune (dowry)
Early Middle Ages: built of earth and wood (Later: made of stone)
Usually built on hills or other places difficult to attack› A ditch or “moat” was dug around a castle
if only flat land was available (often filled with water) A draw bridge could be lowered across the
moat and raised for protection
“Keep”: main part of castle› Strong tower containing storerooms,
workshops, and perhaps barracks and the lord’s living quarters
Great Hall: place where the lord accepted visitors
Castles had thick walls with small windows and no glass
A code of conduct that dictated a knight’s behavior toward others.› To become a knight, a boy had to be born of
nobility› Boys first became a “page” or attendant for
a knight to learn to care for weapons› In teenage years a page became a squire or
full assistant to the knight› After proving himself in battle a squire would
become a knight in an elaborate ceremony
A symbol on the knight’s shield to distinguish himself from others
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