Development of Feudalism Jigsaw

Introduction to Feudalism

The fall of Rome in 476 AD marks the beginning of the Middle Ages
Early Middle Ages
476-1000 AD / High Middle Ages
1000-1300 AD / Late Middle Ages
1300-1450 AD
Feudalism- Economic and Political System where Serfs, Peasants, Knights and Vassals pledged loyalty to the Lords.
Draw the Social Hierarchy Pyramid of Feudalism
Church
Monarchy
Lord
Vassal/Knight
Farmers, Craftsmen, and Merchants
Peasant and Serfs

Western Europe During the Middle Ages

-Europe was left with no central government or system of defense after the Fall of Rome.
Clovis was an ambitious warrior who became King of the Franks at the Age of 15 in 481 AD. Defeated the last great army of Rome and ruled for 30 years.
Charlemagne’s Empire (768 to 814 AD) Leader of the Franks
Encouraged education despite being able to read and write very little
“King Father of Europe”
Built his empire with the help of Pope Leo III. (Church was a central part of society)
Charlemagne’s empire collapsed after his death.
3 Groups threatened Western Europe’s stability (Muslims, Magyars, and the Vikings)

Feudalism: Establishing Order

-High Middle Ages Developed a system called Feudalism
-Bound by promises of loyalty (King gave out “fiefs” grants of land to Lords who became his vassals and in return lords promised to supply the king with knights in time of war.
-Lords rented out their land to peasants
-Serfs – were “tied” to the land they worked and couldn’t leave without the permission of the lord
-Manor- large estate (included a castle or manor house in the country side with villages and farmland)

Monarchs During Feudal Times

-Divine Right of the Kings - Belief that God had given monarchs the right to rule
-Few Kingdoms had enough wealth to keep their own army, so they relied on Vassals (Lords) to provide knights and soldiers.
-Vikings invaders from the North were a major threat to England
-Saxons and the Norman families had ruled England for a period of time.
-William the Conquer (Powerful Duke from Normandy) believed he had a right to rule England and defeated his cousin Harold at the Battle of Hastings)
-Brought Feudalism to England with him

Lords and Ladies During Feudal Times

-Manor House built of stone or wood, protected by high walls and sometimes a moat
-Manor houses the center of the community
-Kings and Queens lived in Castles
-Lords responsibility was to manage and defend his land and the people who worked on it, acted as judges, and punished those who broke the law.
Ladies- Noblewoman could own land (those that didn’t were responsible for raising the children, overseeing their household, and sometimes taking care of other noble’s children)

Knights During Feudal Times

Path to becoming a Knight
Page Squire Knight
Age of 7 7 years later Early 20s
Usually went away to Age 14-15 Knighted (religious event)
Relative’s castle
Learned how to: Polished the Knights Armor A way of Life
Ride a horse Sword, Shield, and Lance Chivalry (code to live by)
Received religious instructions Trained to become warriors Jousts and tournaments
Sing, Dance, Compose Music
Training Fight with a sword, lance Protect the Lord
Help the ladies of the house battle ax, and mace.
Dress in Lords armor
and follow him into battle

Peasants During Feudal Times

-Most people were Peasants
-Rented Land from the Lords (small plots of land)
-Most peasants lived in a small house of one or two rooms.
-Peasants were called Serfs (if tied to the land)
-Taxes paid to the Lord
Head Money- Fixed amount per person every year
Tallage- tax whenever the Lord needed money
Merchet- marriage fee

How did Feudalism help establish order in Europe during the Middle Ages?

The beginning of the Middle Ages was a time of instability for Europe. The Feudal system helped create an organized system that allowed for people to follow guidelines and survive economically as well as from outside invaders. They each relied on one another and had their own role in society. The Lords oversaw to protect the Peasants by providing land, places to stay, and Knights provided protect while being given land and food in return.