The Middle Ages

Feudalism
Manor System

Medieval Society
Kings and Queens
Rulers

Nobility
Lords and Knights
Controlled the land

Clergy
Church officials

Peasants
Majority of the
population
Worked the land and
served the nobles

Feudalism
Political and social system based on the
granting of land in exchange for loyalty,
military assistance, and other services

Feudalism
Developed
as a result
of frequent
invasions in
western
Europe
Kings and
nobles
needed a
way to
protect
their lands

Feudalism
Lords divided their
lands into estates
called fiefs
Fiefs (land) given to
vassals
A person granted
land in return for
loyalty or military
service

All nobles were

vassals to the king

Feudalism
Knights
Mounted warriors who
protected lords lands
Given land for their
services
Chivalry
Code of ethics followed
by knights
Honesty, fairness in
battle, loyal, proper
treatment of women

Feudal Obligations
Provide military service
Remain loyal and faithful
Give money on special
occasions

Give Land
Protect from attack
Resolve disputes between
knights

Constructing the Pyramid Feudal

Power

SERFS AND FREEMEN

9

Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal

Power

LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR

PROTECTION

SERFS AND FREEMEN

10

Constructing the Pyramid of

Feudal Power

POWERFUL
NOBLES
LAND AND
PROTECTION

LOYALTY AND
MILITARY SERVICE

LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR

PROTECTION

SERFS AND FREEMEN

11

Constructing the Pyramid of

Feudal Power
KING
LOYALTY AND
SERVICE

LAND

POWERFUL
NOBLES
LAND AND
PROTECTION

LOYALTY AND
MILITARY SERVICE

LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR

PROTECTION

SERFS AND FREEMEN

12

Closure
Explain why feudalism developed in
western Europe.
What was a knights obligation to the lord?
What was the lords obligation to the
knight?

Manorial System
An economic
system in the
Middle Ages that
was built around
large estates
called manors
Included a village
and the land
surrounding it

Manorial System
Manors were self sufficient

Most things needed for daily life were produced on

the manor

Manorial System
Serfs
Peasants who lived and
worked on the lords
manor
Were not allowed to
leave the manor or marry
without the lords
permission
Were allowed to farm on
the manor in return for
work
Lords were required to
protect the serfs

Manorial System
The life of a serf was
harsh
Worked long hours
few lived past 35
years old
Based on heredity
You were a serf if you
parents were

Manorial System
The Harshness of Manor Life
Peasants pay taxes to use mill
and bakery; pay a tithe to priest

Tithea church taxis equal to

one-tenth of a peasants income

Serfs live in crowded cottages

with dirt floors, straw for beds
Worked long hours
raising crops, livestock;
feeding and clothing family
Poor diet, illness, malnutrition
make life expectancy 35 years
Serfs generally accept their lives
as part of Gods plan

Manorial System
Freemen
skilled workers who
paid rent to nobles
and could leave the
manor
Ex. Blacksmith and
millers

Manorial System
Lets see how much you remember!

1) Everyone owed loyalty to the ________

2) Nobles were near the top of the social
hierarchy . They got _______ from the king.
3) Lesser nobles (knights) gave _________
_________ in return for land
4) _______ were bound to the land. They worked
in return for ____________.
5) __________ were skilled workers. They paid
rent to the ______ and were free to move if
they wanted to.
21

Check Your Answers

1) Everyone owed loyalty to the king.
2) Nobles were near the top of the social
hierarchy. They got land from the
king.
3) Lesser nobles (knights) gave military
service in return for land.
4) Serfs were bound to the land. They
worked in return for protection.
5) Freemen were skilled workers. They
paid rent to the nobles and were free
to move if they wanted to.

Closure
What was the Manorial System
How were manors self sufficient?
Explain why feudalism developed in
western Europe.