FeudalismFeudalism• Feudalism - a form of government where the

power is in the hands of the land owning nobility• There was a shift of power from a king to local

lords or nobles• The people of Europe were divided into 3 groups

clergy, nobles and peasants– The clergy were in charge of educating people about

religion– Nobles ran the government, protected the peasants

and enforced the laws

– Peasants were the poor farmers who raised crops for food

FeudalismFeudalism• The power of a noble came from the amount of

land they owned Land = Power• Under feudalism soldiers were given land for their

service in the army– This land was called a fief or estate– From the income earned from the land they bought war

supplies; horses and weapons

• After the death of Charlemagne many feudal territories were established and run by individual nobles– The Nobles had all of the power and made the laws

FeudalismFeudalism

– Peasants and townspeople had to follow the laws if they wanted to be protected by the lord from raiding peoples

Lord and VassalLord and Vassal• The lord vassal relationship was based on the

loyalty of the vassal to the lord and vice versa• For this loyalty the lord would protect the vassal

– A ceremony called an act of homage made the relationship between lord and vassal official

• Vassals had to serve the lord by bringing knights to battle, and serve 40 to 60 days a year in the army– Knights were warriors on horseback

Lord and VassalLord and Vassal

• * If a lord were captured the vassal would trade places with the lord or pay a ransom for the lord

• A vassal was expected to be at the lords court• They had to provide entertainment and food when

the lord visited • When a vassal died his eldest son would take over

as vassal of the fief

• King

• Noble Clergy

• Lord Pope

• VassalBishops

• Knight Priests

• Peasant

• Townspeople

Review page 15Review page 15

• If you had to go back in time to the Feudal era who would you want to be?

• Explain in a paragraph response and give specific examples of why you want to be the person that you have indicated.