Unit IV

Term for system of political and social order in Medieval Western Europe New economic pattern

based on land ownership

The manor became the main economic unit.

Feudal system developed

King at top

Lords, vassals, and peasants

Those who fight: nobles and knights

Those who pray: monks, nuns, leaders of the Church

Those who work: peasants

Social class is usually inherited; Most peasants are serfs—people lawfully bound to place of birth

What they produce belongs to their lord

Term for economic System of Medieval Europe

Medieval fiefs, include lord’s house, church, workshops, village. It’s a large plot of land Peasants pay taxes to use

mill and bakery; pay a tithe to priest

Serfs live in crowded cottages with dirt floors, straw for beds

Daily grind of raising crops, livestock, feeding and clothing family

Serfs generally accept their lives as part of God’s plan

A depiction of a Medial Fief.

Leather saddle and stirrups enable knights to handle heavy weapons

In 700s, mounted knights become most important part of an army

By 1000s, western Europe is a battleground of warring nobles

Feudal lords raise private armies of knights

Knights rewarded with land; provides income needed for weapons

Knights’ other activities help train them for combat

The Code of Chivalry By 1100s, knights obey code

of chivalry—a set of ideals on how to act

They are to protect weak and poor; serve feudal lord, God, chosen lady

Knighthood and the Code of Chivalry Brutal reality of warfare

Castles are huge fortress where lords live

Attacking armies use wide range of strategies and weapons

Pageantry, The skills of knights shown off, part of a mans commitment to chivalry

A Knight’s Training Boys begin to train for

knighthood at age 7; usually knighted at 21

Knights gain experience in local wars and tournaments—mock battles

Guilds organization of people in the same occupation

Merchant guilds begin first; they keep prices up, provide security

Guilds set standards for quality, prices, wages, working conditions

Avoided changed in technology

The wealth of guilds influences government and economy

Trade fairs are held several times a year in towns

Trade routes open to Asia, North Africa, and Byzantine

Merchants develop credit to avoid carrying large sums of money

Merchants play a bigger role in society

Merchants take out loans to purchase goods, and banking grows

Economic changes lead to the growth of cities and of paying jobs

All medieval Christians expected to obey canon law which governed religious practices

Popes have power over political leaders through threat of

Excommunication—banishment from Church, damnation

Interdiction—king’s subjects denied sacraments and services

Kings and emperors expected to obey pope’s commands

Church builds monasteries—where monks live to study and serve God

Monks and Nuns vow celibacy and improving the lives of others

Monks establish schools, preserve learning through libraries

Some Church officials marry even though the Church objects (celibacy)

Some officials practice simony—selling religious offices

Kings use lay investiture to appoint secular bishops

Reformers believe only the Church should appoint bishops

Starting in 1100s, popes reorganize Church like a kingdom

The King James Bible

Baptism

Pope Greg0ory VII bans lay investiture—kings appointing Church officials

Henry IV (Germany) orders pope to resign; Gregory VIII excommunicates Henry

Henry goes to Canossa, Italy, to beg Gregory for forgiveness

Gregory forgives Henry

Concordat of Worms Compromise: pope anoints bishops, emperor can veto appointment