Chapter 5: Europe in the Middle Ages

Section 1: Feudalism and the Manor System

Vocabulary Middle Ages: The years between ancient and modern times Medieval: Referring to the Middle Ages Feudalism: A system in which land was owned by kings or lords but held by vassals in return for their loyalty Knight: A man who received honor and land in exchange for serving a lord as a soldier Peasant: A poor person who made their living as a farmer or laborer

VocabularyContinu

ed Fief: A share of land Manor: A large estate, often including farms and a village, ruled by a lord Serf: A farm worker considered part of the manor on which he or she worked

The Middle Ages Lasted from about 500 AD to 1500 AD Middle Ages start with the fall of Rome (Map Page 119) Middle Ages = Medieval Times

The Middle Ages In western Europe, Rome is replaced with a patchwork of small “barbarian” kingdoms This time is also called the Dark Ages

Most barbarians cannot read or write They do not have the technology or education of the Romans

Continued

The B

arb

ari

an

Kin

gdom

s

Charlemagne After several years, one barbarian kingdom becomes stronger than the rest They are from Gaul and they are called the Franks – From modern day France Their leader is Charlemagne

Ch

arl

em

ag

ne’s

Em

pir

e

CharlemagneContinued Charlemagne ruled for 50 years

Started schools for education and culture Spread Christianity

In return for his support of the church, the Pope crowns him the “Holy Roman Emperor”

CharlemagneContinued When Charlemagne

dies, his empire is divided between his three grandsons They weaken the empire by fighting each other for power Outside invasions finally end Charlemagne’s empire

Ch

arl

em

ag

ne’s

Em

pir

e

The Vikings The Vikings were a barbarian group from Scandinavia – Present day Denmark, Sweden, and Norway Vikings were skilled sailors and tough warriors

The VikingsContinued They used their longships to

raid the coasts of other kingdoms in Europe

Viking Raids

The Vikings The Viking attacks started around 800 AD and continued for about 300 years They burned towns and looted villages This helped keep Europe in the “Dark Ages”

Continued

European Feudalism Feudalism was a kind of government Land was the key to this system The order of society as ranked from top to bottom:

King Nobles Knights Peasants

European Feudalism

King

NoblesKnigh

tsPeasants

European FeudalismContinued Anyone above you

in the system was your lord Anyone below you in the system was your vassal

European Feudalism

King

NoblesKnigh

tsPeasants

European Feudalism Lords gave their vassals a fief and/or protection In return, vassals gave their lords some sort of service

Continued

European Feudalism

King

NoblesKnigh

tsPeasants

The Division of Land

King

King

King

Noble

Noble

Noble

Noble

Noble

Knight

Knight

KnightKnight

Knight

The Manor System The manor system was the basis of the medieval economy Manors were self sufficient – They supplied their own food, clothing, tools, etc.

The Manor System The lord owned the manor and lived in a fancy manor house The lord made all the rules and acted as judge for anyone living on the manor

Continued

The Manor System The peasants living on the manor were called serfs Serfs could not leave the manor – They were part of the manor and were considered the lord’s property

Continued

A Peasant’s or Serf’s Life Men, women, and children were all required to work very hard Houses were one room huts Ate simple foods like bread, cabbage, turnips Mattresses were cloth sacks stuffed with straw