Feudalism & Manorial Feudalism & Manorial SystemSystem

I. Invaders Attack W. Euro.I. Invaders Attack W. Euro.

800-1000: invasions helped destroy 800-1000: invasions helped destroy Carolingian Emp.Carolingian Emp.– MuslimsMuslims– MagyarMagyar– Vikings Vikings

A. The VikingsA. The Vikings

From Scandinavia From Scandinavia ““Northman” or the “Norse” Northman” or the “Norse”

(Germanic)(Germanic) Farmers, fishermen, hunters, traders, Farmers, fishermen, hunters, traders,

& explorers& explorers ““a-Viking” we will go! (summer a-Viking” we will go! (summer

months) months) 800s = food shortage in Scan.800s = food shortage in Scan.

Viking shipsViking ships Sailed across Atlantic to Iceland, Sailed across Atlantic to Iceland,

Greenland, & N. Amer. (Leif Ericson)Greenland, & N. Amer. (Leif Ericson) Also, England, Ireland, & Fr. Also, England, Ireland, & Fr.

– NormandyNormandy Traded w/strong, pillaged weakTraded w/strong, pillaged weak Enjoyed battle (large axes, swords, & Enjoyed battle (large axes, swords, &

wooden shields) wooden shields)

Followed pagan beliefs Followed pagan beliefs 1000: Vikings faded1000: Vikings faded

– Gradually accepted ChristianityGradually accepted Christianity– Euro. climate warmed…ag. improved Euro. climate warmed…ag. improved

B. Magyars & Muslims B. Magyars & Muslims AttackAttack

Magyars: nomads from east (late 800s)Magyars: nomads from east (late 800s)– Tactics similar to Huns Tactics similar to Huns – Become the “Hungarians”Become the “Hungarians”– Overran Italy, reached Rhineland & Overran Italy, reached Rhineland &

BurgundyBurgundy– Did not settle conquered land, only took Did not settle conquered land, only took

slavesslaves– Settled in what is now Hungary Settled in what is now Hungary

Muslims: attacked from south (Italy & Muslims: attacked from south (Italy & Spain)Spain)– Terrorized Med. coast—took Sicily, Terrorized Med. coast—took Sicily,

Sardinia, & Corsica Sardinia, & Corsica Invasions = disorder & suffering Invasions = disorder & suffering

– Euros. were in constant dangerEuros. were in constant danger– Turned to local rulers for security Turned to local rulers for security

II. FeudalismII. Feudalism

Govt. disappeared after Char’s. death 814Govt. disappeared after Char’s. death 814 Continent of small, independent local Continent of small, independent local

govts.govts. Feudalism: kings granted land to other Feudalism: kings granted land to other

nobles in return for loyalty & military nobles in return for loyalty & military assistanceassistance– Kings = gave grants of land (fief) to nobles Kings = gave grants of land (fief) to nobles

Lord = person who granted landLord = person who granted land Vassal = person who received landVassal = person who received land

– Fief = grant of land, contract betw. lord & Fief = grant of land, contract betw. lord & vassal vassal

A. Feudal PyramidA. Feudal Pyramid

Hierarchical PyramidHierarchical Pyramid– King King – Vassals (nobles & bishops)Vassals (nobles & bishops)– Knights (defended lord’s land)Knights (defended lord’s land)– Peasants (landless) Peasants (landless)

B. Social ClassesB. Social Classes

Three groups:Three groups:– 1. those who fought1. those who fought– 2. those who prayed2. those who prayed– 3. those who worked3. those who worked

Vast majority of pop. Vast majority of pop. Serfs (bound to place of birth) Serfs (bound to place of birth)

Majority of pop. = peasants (serfs)Majority of pop. = peasants (serfs)– Could not leave the land w/out the lord’s Could not leave the land w/out the lord’s

permission permission Church = part of the feudal system Church = part of the feudal system

– 900s: owned vast amounts of land900s: owned vast amounts of land granted some as fiefs to nobles for military granted some as fiefs to nobles for military

protection protection

C. Feudal RelationshipsC. Feudal Relationships

Three facts:Three facts:– 1. it was an honorable relationship betw. 1. it was an honorable relationship betw.

equalsequals– 2. same man could be both vassal & lord 2. same man could be both vassal & lord – 3. the relationship was a personal one 3. the relationship was a personal one

D. Obligations of FeudalismD. Obligations of Feudalism

Vassals had more obligations than the Vassals had more obligations than the lordlord– Provide lord w/cavalry & infantry Provide lord w/cavalry & infantry – Had to cover extraordinary expenses Had to cover extraordinary expenses – Served on the lord’s courtServed on the lord’s court

E. Feudal JusticeE. Feudal Justice

Court trials were decided:Court trials were decided:– 1. trial by battle (duel)1. trial by battle (duel)– 2. compurgation (oath taking)2. compurgation (oath taking)– 3. trial by ordeal3. trial by ordeal

F. WarfareF. Warfare

Fights betw. feudal lords or betw. Fights betw. feudal lords or betw. lords & vassals lords & vassals

Knights: Knights: – Iron helmet, shirt of chain mail, sword, Iron helmet, shirt of chain mail, sword,

shield, lanceshield, lance Later, metal plates replaced chain mail Later, metal plates replaced chain mail

(Why?)(Why?)

*For nobles, war = opps. for glory & wealth!

III. The Manorial SystemIII. The Manorial System

Feudalism = govt. & military systemFeudalism = govt. & military system Manorial System = economic Manorial System = economic

structurestructure– Large estateLarge estate

Manor = lord’s estateManor = lord’s estate Lord gave serfs housing, farmland, & Lord gave serfs housing, farmland, &

protectionprotection Serfs tended land, animals, & Serfs tended land, animals, &

performed maintenance performed maintenance Peasant women shared farmwork Peasant women shared farmwork No central authority or trade existed No central authority or trade existed

– Manors were self-sufficient Manors were self-sufficient

Lord & peasants shared landLord & peasants shared land– Lord = 1/3 of land (demesne)Lord = 1/3 of land (demesne)– Peasants = 2/3 of land Peasants = 2/3 of land

Usually located on a stream for its millUsually located on a stream for its mill Covered a few square milesCovered a few square miles Had lord’s house, church, & workshopsHad lord’s house, church, & workshops Cultivated land was divided into 3 large Cultivated land was divided into 3 large

fields fields – 2 of 3 planted each year (1 lied fallow) 2 of 3 planted each year (1 lied fallow)

A. Peasant LifeA. Peasant Life

peasants = serfspeasants = serfs Some free people rented land Some free people rented land

– Skilled workers (millers, blacksmiths, carpenters)Skilled workers (millers, blacksmiths, carpenters) Priests Priests Life on manor = very hardLife on manor = very hard

– Meager dietMeager diet– Rarely ate meat Rarely ate meat

Life expectancy = 30 years (disease, Life expectancy = 30 years (disease, starvation, war)starvation, war)

B. The Life of NobilityB. The Life of Nobility

Nobles did not lead luxurious livesNobles did not lead luxurious lives Castle Castle

– Fortified home of lordFortified home of lord– Served as base from which to protect the Served as base from which to protect the

surrounding countryside surrounding countryside – Early castles = relatively simple built of wood & Early castles = relatively simple built of wood &

earthearth– Later = stone Later = stone – Located in hills or easily defendable areas (had Located in hills or easily defendable areas (had

moats)moats)