Charlemagne,
Feudalism, & Knights
UNIT 3, SSWH 7A
What was everyday
life like in
Medieval Europe?
SSWH 7 a
Explain the manorial system
and feudalism; include the
status of peasants and
feudal monarchies and the
importance of Charlemagne.
CHARLEMAGNE
 United western Europe
under one king
 Built an empire greater
than any since Rome
 Spread Christianity through conquests
 Crowned emperor by Pope
Leo III, joining the church
& govt. p.215-216
Continued
 Limited the authority of the
nobles, used royal agents
 Empire divides upon his
retirement
(3 grandsons fight over it) –
Treaty of Verdun splits up
Feudalism: Emerged 850 – 950 AD
 A system of governing & landholding
 Feudalism depended on the control of land
 Lords (landowners) granted land (a fief) in
exchange for protection by knight (a
vassal)
 Feudalism shaped as a pyramid:
king at the top, mostly wealthy/powerful
vassals (nobles or bishops),
then knights, & at the bottom
peasants/serfs p.219 -224
Continued
 Feudalism estab 3 social classes
 Those who fought (nobles &
knights), those who prayed (men &
women of the church), & those
who worked (peasants)
 Knights trained for 14 yrs. – served
3 things: landlord, Lord, and lady
Manorial System – Lord’s
Estate (economic arrangement)
 Based on obligations & rights
between a lord & peasant/serf
 Lords provided housing, farmland,
& protection
 Serf worked the lord’s land, cared
for animals, & maintained the
manor (they were not allowed to
leave the manor)
Continued
 Self-sufficient community:
house, church, workshop, & mill
 Most lived to 35 & most didn’t
travel more than 25 miles
 Peasants/serfs accepted lives
because of the church teachings
The Count
 3: Name the 3 feudal classes
 2: Name 2 characteristics of the
manorial system
 1: What is one major accomplishment
of Charlemagne?
Jot Down – Prepare to Share