Feudalism 13 - 2

In this section you will;

1. Describe the political, economic and social aspects of feudalism in Europe during the Middle Ages.

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Focus Questions (for the reading below)

1. What were some aspects of feudalism?

2. How did manorialism complement feudalism?

(Find the answers below)

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Vocabulary

feudalism: Political system of local government based on the granting of land in return for loyalty, military assistance, and other services

fief: Grant of land given to a vassal from a lord

vassal: Person granted land from a lord in return for services

primogeniture: System of inheritance from father to eldest son for ownership or possession of land

manorialism: Economic system during the Middle Ages that revolved around self-sufficient farming estates where lords and peasants shared the land

serfs: Peasants who could not leave the land without the lord's permission

chivalry: Code of conduct that dictated knights’ behavior toward others

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Section 2 Summary

After Charlemagne’s death, large-scale government in Europe nearly disappeared. By the 900s most Europeans were governed by small, local, independent leaders.

In the political system called feudalism, powerful nobles, called lords, granted land to lesser nobles in return for loyalty, military assistance, and other services. The grant of land was called a fief. The lesser noble, called a vassal, did not own the land but could use it to maintain himself and his household. The vassal could further divide his land and grant it to others, such as knights. Later the fief became hereditary, passed from a vassal to his son. By 1100 the inheritance always went to the eldest son. This system was called primogeniture

(pry·moh·JE·nuh·choor). Kings were also bound by feudalism. In theory every landholder was a vassal to the king. In practice, the king controlled only those living on his lands. Even the church, which owned much property, had vassals. Wars were common. Most were local conflicts. Large-scale wars were immensely destructive. Knights wore armor and carried swords, shields, and lances. For nobles, wars offered opportunities for glory and wealth. For most people, wars caused great suffering and hardship.

Feudal justice was decided by trial by battle, oath-taking, or trial by ordeal.

Trial by battle could be a duel between accuser and accused. In oath-taking, people swore that either the accuser or the accused was telling the truth. In trial by ordeal, the accused underwent an ordeal such as plunging his hand in boiling water. If wounds held quickly, he was innocent; if not, he was guilty.

Feudalism provided the social and political structure of the Middle Ages. Manorialism shaped the economic structure. Manors were large, self-sufficient farming estates shared by lords and peasants. They included manor houses, cultivated lands, woodlands, pastures, fields, and villages.

The lord kept about a third of the land for himself. The peasants farmed the remaining two thirds, gave the lord some of their crops, helped farm his land, and paid taxes.

Most peasants, called serfs, could not leave without the lord’s permission. Life spans were short due to disease, starvation, and war. The lives of the upper classes were not luxurious by today’s standards. Castles were simple fortified structures of earth, wood, and later, stone. The castle’s dark, chilly rooms had thick walls and small windows with no glass. In the 1100s chivalry changed feudal society. Chivalry was a code of conduct that dictated knights’ behavior toward others. To became a knight, a young noble served first as a knight’s page, then as a squire. If the squire was a courageous fighter, he was knighted. Knights were expected to be courageous, fair, loyal, honest, gallant, and courteous to women. Knights had to be courteous only to their own class. Toward others they could by bullying, coarse, and arrogant. (music video - click at your own risk)

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Answer to Focus Questions

1. What were some aspects of feudalism?

Feudalism included the grant of land to a vassal in exchange for loyalty, military assistance, and other services to the lord who granted the land. Large-scale government largely disappeared and small localized, and independent government ruled.

2. How did manorialism complement feudalism?

Feudalism provided the social and political structure of the Middle Ages. Manorialism complemented feudalism by providing an economic structure.