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Feudalism and Manorialism

In this lesson, students will be able to define and explain the following terms:

Feudalism

Manorialism

Lords

Vassals

Serfs

Fiefs

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The fall of Romein 476 A.D. alteredthe map of Europe.

The once greatempire was replaced by

hundreds of littlekingdoms.

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Collapse of Central Government

• During the Roman Empire, there was a central government. It made laws and had armies to protect people.

• However, with the fall of Rome, the central government collapsed.

• Hundreds of little kingdoms governed in its place.

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After the fall of Rome, the empire was divided among the various Barbarian tribes.

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Increased Warfare

• The new kingdoms frequently fought in an attempt to acquire more land.

• This increased fighting frightened people and encouraged people to think of new ways of protecting themselves.

• New political and economic systems developed.

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TheEarly

MiddleAgeswas a

dangeroustime.

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Peasants Needed Protection

• Peasants were frightened.

• They turned to landowners for protection.

• Peasants offered their labor in exchange for protection.

• These peasants were called serfs.

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It was a dangeroustime to be a

peasant. Poorpeople turned

to rich landownerswith armies for

protection.

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Serfs• A serf was “bound to the land.”

• He could not leave his lord’s land.

• He was not a slave because he could not be sold.

• But he was not free because he could not leave.

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People who owned land were called lords.

Lords gave land to lesserlords called vassals.A vassal had to obey

his lord and give militaryservice and loyalty to

his lord.

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Feudalism

• Feudalism was the political and military system of the Middle Ages.

• In a feudal society, land is exchanged for military service and loyalty.

• The ownership of land was the basis or power.

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A fief was all of theLord’s land. Themanor was partof the fief. The

manor was the partof the fief where

the peasants farmedand the people lived.

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Manorialism

• Manorialism was the economic system of the Middle Ages.

• Manorialism is a self-sufficient economy.

• Everything that is necessary for life is created on the manor.

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Questions for Reflection:

• Why did peasants need protection after the fall of Rome?

• Why were serfs willing to offer their labor to lords?

• What was the relationship between lords and vassals?

• Define feudalism and manorialism.• How does manorialism differ from our

economic system?