Feudalism, a political and economic system based on land-holding and protective alliances, emerges in Europe.

Invaders Attack Western Europe
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The Vikings Invade from the North
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Warlike Vikings raid Europe from
Scandinavia—Denmark, Norway,
Sweden
Viking long ships sail in shallow water, allowing raids inland
Eventually, many Vikings adopt
Christianity and become farmers

Invaders Attack Western Europe
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Magyars and Muslims Attack from the
East and South
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Magyars (Hungarian nomads) invade western Europe in late 800s
Muslims strike north from Africa, attacking through Italy and Spain
Viking, Magyar, Muslim invasions cause widespread disorder, suffering

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Feudalism Structures Society
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850 to 950, feudalism emerges— political system based on land control
A lord (landowner) gives fiefs (land grants) in exchange for services
Vassals—people who receive fiefs— become powerful landholders

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The Feudal Pyramid
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Power in feudal system much like a pyramid, with king at the top
Kings served by nobles who are served by knights; peasants at bottom
Knights—horsemen—defend their lord’s land in exchange for fiefs

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T he 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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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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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.)

LORDS
GIVE
SERVICE
TO
GIVE
PROTECTION
TO
VASSALS
9

SERFS AND FREEMEN
10

LABOR
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
SERFS AND FREEMEN
PROTECTION
11

POWERFUL
NOBLES
LOYALTY AND
MILITARY SERVICE
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR
SERFS AND FREEMEN
LAND AND
PROTECTION
PROTECTION
12

KING
LOYALTY AND
SERVICE
LAND
POWERFUL
NOBLES
LOYALTY AND
MILITARY SERVICE
LAND AND
PROTECTION
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN
13

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Social Classes Are Well Defined
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Medieval feudal system classifies people into three social groups
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 those who fight: nobles and knights those who pray: monks, nuns, leaders of the Church those who work: peasants
Social class is usually inherited; majority of people are peasants
Most peasants are serfs—people lawfully bound to place of birth
Serfs aren’t slaves, but what they produce belongs to their lord

Manors: The Economic Side of Feudalism
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A Self-Contained World
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Medieval manors include lord’s house, church, workshops, village
Manors cover a few square miles of land, are largely self-sufficient

Manors: The Economic Side of Feudalism
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The Harshness of Manor Life
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Peasants pay taxes to use mill and bakery; pay a tithe to priest
Tithe—a church tax—is equal to one-tenth of a peasant’s income
Serfs live in crowded cottages with dirt floors, straw for beds
Daily grind of raising crops, livestock; feeding and clothing family
Poor diet, illness, malnutrition make life expectancy 35 years
Serfs generally accept their lives as part of God’s plan

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