Aim: How did feudalism represent a response to changing conditions in Europe?Do Now: Feudal Relationships 1-3

FeudalismFeudalism was a decentralized system.Pledge of service in exchange for landMutual obligationsBased on personal loyalty or bonds.Two fundamental classes those who fight and those who labor. 1) Warrior elite 2) Subject peasantry serfs.

Feudalism and the Manorial System

Feudalism900s - most Europeans were governedby small, independent leaders in a systemcalled feudalism

Vassalage ties of allegiance.Lords granted land to lesser nobles (vassals)in return for loyalty, military assistance, andother services

FiefsThe grant of land was called a fief vassalsdid not own the land but used it to maintain themselves and their household

SubinfeudationA vassal could divide the land and grant it toothers, thus also becoming a lordA vassal giving homage to his lord

Benefice and HomageA benefice was a grant of land for a fixed term of service. Homage was the oath of vassalage.

PrimogenitureFiefs became hereditary, passed fromfather to eldest son under a system calledprimogenitureCharlemagnes family tree

Women Women only had limited property rights butretained control of her dowry if her husband died

WarfareLocal wars between feudal lords were common; large-scale wars were extremelydestructive

WarfareKnights wore chain mail or metal plate armorand were armed with a sword, shield, and lance

Wars offered opportunities for glory and wealthfor nobles, but caused great suffering andhardship

The church tried to limit suffering by issuing decrees that prohibited certain acts ofviolenceMedieval Monk, Bishop and Priest

Feudal justiceFeudal justice was decided by trial by battle,oath-taking, or trial by ordealTrial by the ordeal of fire, where the suspect had to carry a bar of red-hot iron in his hands while he walked nine marked paces. In the unlikely event of no burns appearing on his hand, he was judged innocent.

Aim: Did the medieval peasant benefit from the feudal system?

Do Now: Meet the Medievals, 1-4

The Manorial SystemManors were self-sufficient farming estatesshared by lords and peasants (serfs) manorialism shaped the economic structure

A. FunctionWestern Europe was much more rural than Eastern EuropeManorialism was the economic foundation of feudal societyThe open field system of medieval farmingOrigin and status of serfdomBy 800 AD, nearly 60% of western Europe was enserfed

The Manorial SystemSerfs farmed the land and gave crops, services, loyalty, and taxes to the lordSerfs paying annual taxes to their lord in cash and with livestock

The Manorial SystemThe life span of a serf was short due to disease, starvation, and war; upper class lives were not luxurious

Humans by EraNeanderthal20Upper Paleolithic33Neolithic20Bronze Age18 Classical Greece28Classical Rome28Medieval Britain33End of 19th Century Western Europe37Current world average66.12

B. Life in a Medieval VillageLiving conditions of the serfsStriking lack of privacy for family membersVariety of dietary options for peasantsThe central role of bread in the peasant diet80% of caloric content

B. Life in a Medieval Village (cont)Center of manorial life was the village churchVillage church servicesLife was short and frightening for village peasantsVillage life was strictly hierarchicalVillage life was also very communalVillage life was always very local

The Manorial SystemMarriage was viewed as a means to advanceones fortune or the way a man mightacquire land

ChivalryBy the late 1100s chivalry had begun to bringmajor changes to feudal society

ChivalryChivalry was a code of conduct that dictatedthe knights behavior toward others

KnightsKnights were expected to be courageous, fair,loyal, honest, gallant, and courteous to women

Bodo

Bodos wife - ErmentrudeBodos children - Wido, Gerbert, Hildegard

Bodo and Lord RamseyWhy is Bodo unhappy?How did the lord fail to protect the serfs?Why does Bodo think the system is unfair?How does Lord Ramsey respond to Bodos complaint?Who do you think has it better, Bodo or Lord Ramsey? Explain why.If you were Bodo, what would you do?

Group WorkWhat is good and bad about the life of a Medieval peasant?

Task Make a list of pros and cons

SerfdomHow did feudalism provide security for the peasants?How were the serfs obligated to serve the lords?How was the life of the peasant limited?Is the right to stay on the lords land more important than the freedom to leave?