• 1/2 /13 Focus: – Feudalism and the manor system were

both based on mutual obligations. – In feudalism, nobles owed duties to

each other and in the manor system, nobles and peasants provided benefits to each other

• Do Now:–Why was the Early Middle Ages known

as the Dark Ages?

The Middle Ages

FeudalismManor System

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 in return for loyalty and military support

• All nobles were vassals to the King

Feudalism • Knights –Mounted warriors

who protected lord’s lands

– Given land for their services

– Chivalry • Code of ethics

followed by knights • Honesty, fairness in

battle, loyal, proper treatment of women

•

Feudal ObligationsKnights Obligation to Lord• Provide military service• Remain loyal and

faithful • Give money on special

occasions

Lord’s Obligation to Knights• Give Land• Protect from attack • Resolve disputes

between knights

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Constructing the Pyramid Feudal Power

SERFS AND FREEMEN

10

Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power

LESSER NOBLES(KNIGHTS)

LABOR PROTECTION

SERFS AND FREEMEN

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Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power

LESSER NOBLES(KNIGHTS)

LABOR PROTECTION

POWERFULNOBLES

SERFS AND FREEMEN

LAND ANDPROTECTION

LOYALTY ANDMILITARY SERVICE

12

Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power

LESSER NOBLES(KNIGHTS)

LABOR PROTECTION

POWERFULNOBLES

KING

SERFS AND FREEMEN

LAND ANDPROTECTION

LANDLOYALTY ANDSERVICE

LOYALTY ANDMILITARY SERVICE

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 lord’s manor

– Were not allowed to leave the manor or marry without the lord’s 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• Tithe—a church tax—is equal

to one-tenth of a peasant’s 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 God’s plan

Manorial System• Freemen – skilled workers

who paid rent to nobles and could leave the manor • Ex. Blacksmith and

millers

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Manorial System

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 land4) _______ 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.

Let’s see how much you remember!

Check Your Answers1) 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.