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Feudal Society

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WHY WAS FEUDALISM NECESSARY?

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Relationship Between Lords and Vassals

The relationship between lords and vassals made up a big part of the political and social structure of the feudal system

Vassals had certain duties to perform for the lord

All nobles were ultimately vassals of the king.

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What is a Knight?

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What is a Knight? Almost all nobles were knights Training began at age 7, as a page,

under the guidance of the lady of the manor

Became squires at age 15 and were trained by other knights

Those deemed worthy were “dubbed” knights

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Workers on the Manor There were two groups of peasant

workers on the manor Freemen- skilled workers who paid rent

and could leave the manor whenever they wished. (They usually had a skill needed by others on the manor.)

Serfs – workers bound to the land by contract with the nobles. (They had no freedom - they where the noble’s property.)

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Serfs and Village Life

http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/serfs.htm

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Feudal Contract

LORDS

VASSALS

GIVEPROTECTION TO

GIVE SERVICE TO

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CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OR POWER

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CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OF POWER

The lowest level of Feudal Society was made up of Serfs and Freemen.

In return for their labor, they received protection from the Lords/King.

SERFS AND FREEMEN

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CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OF POWER

The next level of Feudal Society was made up of Knights and Nobles.

In return for their loyalty and military service, they received land and

protection.

LESSER NOBLES(KNIGHTS)

LABOR PROTECTION

SERFS AND FREEMEN

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CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OF POWER

LESSER NOBLES(KNIGHTS)

LABOR PROTECTION

POWERFULNOBLES

SERFS AND FREEMEN

LAND ANDPROTECTION

LOYALTY ANDMILITARY SERVICE

The next level of Feudal Society was made up of Powerful Nobles.

In return for their loyalty and service, they received land.

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CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OF POWER

LESSER NOBLES(KNIGHTS)

LABOR PROTECTION

POWERFULNOBLES

KING

SERFS AND FREEMEN

LAND ANDPROTECTION

LANDLOYALTY ANDSERVICE

LOYALTY ANDMILITARY SERVICE

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REVIEW

1) Everyone owed loyalty to the ________2) _______ were really the most powerful.

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!

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Check Your Answers1) Everyone owed loyalty to the king.2) Nobles were really the most powerful.

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.

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THE ENDHISTORY

NOTES