Aim: How was Europe organized
during the Middle Ages?
Do Now: While China, India, The Byzantines, and the Islamic Empires were
experiencing a golden age, what was going on in Western Europe? For review,
briefly describe what happened to western Europe at the end of the Roman
Empire. What do you think a dark age is?
The Middle Ages Defined
• After the fall of Rome, Western Europe
entered a period known as the Middle Ages,
also known as The Medieval Period, which
lasted from 500 – 1400 A.D.
The Middle Ages or
Medieval Period
500-1400
500 B.C – 476 A.D
The Roman Empire
The Renaissance (Rebirth)
Begins around 1400
The Middle Ages Defined
• In general, the Middle Ages are defined by a
lack of central government, decline of
trade, population shift to rural areas,
decrease in learning, and a rise in the power
of The Roman Catholic Church.
The Rise of Feudalism – Political and Social
Organization of Medieval Europe
The Problem: You are one of many kings ruling various kingdoms in Western
Europe during the Middle Ages. You are also the proud owner of large
landholdings in your area. However, you are struggling to control the nobles in
your kingdom who are fighting each other to expand their landholdings and
increase their power (in turn, threatening yours). In addition, you are concerned
about increasing barbarian attacks from the east. What can you do to create
structure in your kingdom and ensure order?
Your Solution:
The Rise of Feudalism – Political and Social
Organization of Medieval Europe
Oath of loyalty/military support
Loyalty/military
King
Grant Fief (land)
Vassal (Lord)
Shelter/food
Knights
Labor, rent
Serfs and Peasants (90% of
population)
Shelter/food
And protection
Feudalism
The Rise of Feudalism – Political and Social
Organization of Medieval Europe
• Causes of Feudalism: After the fall of Rome, Western
Europe was a scary place! With no strong, central
government to raise a large army, there was no protection
from invaders. The Feudal system emerged as a means to
create social/political order and stability in society as well
as to provide a system of protection
•The Role of Serfs: They were bound to the land. In other
words, slaves.
•No social mobility! Your place in this feudal pyramid was
determined by birth!
Medieval Social Structure
The Manor System – The Medieval Economic System
• Sometimes the
manor system is
referred to as
manorialism.
• The manor was
completely self
sufficient meaning
that everything that
was needed was on
the manor.
• Very little reason to
leave or travel
beyond your manor.
Serfs
Knights
The Manor System – The Medieval
Economic System
• The self sufficient manor contributed to the
decline of learning. No new ideas were
exchanged. Technology was slow to progress.
• Little use of money. Wealth based on land.
Social
Political
Religious
•Strict social
hierarchy based
on the feudal
pyramid.
•Feudalism –
Kings and nobles
exchange land for
loyalty and
protection.
•Rise in the
power of the
Pope and Roman
Catholic Church
•Social Status
determined by
birth
•Lack of social
Mobility
•Code of Chivalry
•Decentralized
government
•People followed
religious Canon
Law – Led by
Pope
•Pope had power
of
excommunication
Intellectual
Technological
Economic
•Manorialism
•Decline in
learning as
population shifts
to rural areas
•Most people
were illiterate
•Priests and
monks could read
and write – wrote
books, mostly
religious
•Technology slow
•Manor system –
to progress as
completely selfexchange of ideas
sufficient in that it
declines.
had everything
•Most technology used
that was needed
for military or farming –
Crossbow, armor,
longbow, siege weapons,
early guns, heavy plough,
water and wind mills,
mechanical clocks,
stirrups, hourglass, glass,
printing press
•Little use of
money
•Little to no trade
•Pay 10% tithe to
church
Medieval Castles