Feudal Society ORIGINS n Charlemagnes Kingdom Breaks Up

Feudal Society

ORIGINS n Charlemagne’s Kingdom Breaks Up n Weak Kings n * Territory Feudalism. Vulnerable : a social system that existed during the Middle Ages in which people worked and fought for nobles who gave them protection and the use of land in return.

You need a Hero! n n n Common folk banded together in clans Families and familiar groups You need the talents of an experienced warrior

What is in it for Him? n What are you good at? Farming • What do you own? Land • What do you value? Life Let’s Make a Deal!

The Deal n n Land percentage of produce Protection for ever You get to live there and live your life He gets to be rich and rule

The Medieval Catholic Church v filled the power vacuum left from the collapse of the classical world. v monasticism: § St. Benedict – Benedictine Rule of poverty, chastity, and obedience. § provided schools for the children of the upper class. § inns, hospitals, refuge in times of war. §monks missionaries to the barbarians. [St. Patrick, St. Boniface]

The Power of the Medieval Church v Pope Gregory I played a large part in the political system. v the church controlled about 1/3 of the land in Western Europe. v tried to curb feudal warfare only 40 days a year for combat. v tithe 1/10 tax on your assets given to the church. v Peter’s Pence 1 penny person [paid by the peasants].

A few feudal terms: * Fealty: oath taken showing loyalty/allegiance to the lord. * Fief: piece of land/estate granted to the vassal by the lord. * Manorialism: economic aspect of feudalism, entirely selfsufficient. * Serf: peasants bound to the land (85 -90 % of population).

CHARACTERISTICS • Overall purpose was PROTECTION • FEALTY (service, loyalty) i. e. 40 days • Self-sufficient MANOR (little trade) • DECENTRALIZED POWER 1. No taxation 2. No universal laws or justice 3. “Promise” prevents betrayal

COMPLEX and UNSTABLE (The ideal was never realized) n Inheritance n Marriage n War n Dual Loyalties n Expensive (Castle)

* Feudalism: system of government in which local lords (vassals) governed their own lands, but owed military service and other support to a greater lord/king.

Characteristics: * Overall purpose was protection * Based on service, loyalty (i. e. 40 days military service) * Self-sufficient community (little to no trade)

A few feudal terms: LORD VASSAL SERF INVESTITURE HOMAGE FIEF

The Medieval Manor

LIFE ON THE MANOR n 3 Field System n Demesne n Self Sufficient

Life on the Medieval Manor Serfs at work

Castles

Parts of a Castle

The Keep

* Motte-and-Bailey Castle (Courtyard)

* Moat * Wet - wastes and other nasty stuff * Dry were very common as well

* Drawbridge

* Portcullis

* Embrasures

* Machicolations (murder holes)

* Keep (most secure fortress)

* Siege Warfare

Knights

Chivalry: A Code of Honor and Behavior

What is Chivalry? A code of honor

* Chivalry: a knight’s code of conduct (bravery, loyalty, honesty, courtesy, etc. ). * Examples: - don’t stab somebody in the back - don’t ambush your opponent - don’t attack an unarmed opponent

MYTH REALITY MYTH or REALITY? n Speak the Truth n Defend the Church n Protect the Poor n Make Peace n Pursue Infidels n Show Loyalty n Guardian for Women n Be Courteous n Treat Prisoners as n Betray other Knights n Rob the Church n Slaughter Peasants n Highway Robbery n Drink to Obscenity n Commit Adultery n Beat your wife n Brawl with Knights n Mistreat Prisoners