Aim:
Explain the Structure of
Feudalism & Role of the
Manor System?
Feudalism Structures Society
System of governing and landholding
called Feudalism emerged in Europe

Political system in which nobles are granted
the use of lands that legally belong to their king
in exchange for loyalty and protection from
people that live on land.

Feudal System based on rights and
obligations

In exchange for military protection
and other services, a lord (landowner)
granted a fief (land)


Person receiving the fief was a Vassal
The Feudal Pyramid
Structure of feudal society looks
like a pyramid


Feudal Pyramid
Peak reigned the king
 Next was most powerful vassal
 Wealthy landowners
 Serving beneath Vassals were Knights
 At base of pyramid were landless
peasants


Peasants were not slaves
Most peasants in Middle Ages
were Serfs

Couldn’t lawfully leave place where they
were born

The Manor System

The Manor was the lords estate

Basic economic arrangement
System rested on set of rights
and obligations between lord and
serfs


Lord provided serfs with housing
In return, serfs tended to lords lands
and farms

Manor typically consisted of
lord’s manor house, church, and
workshops

Self sufficient community
 Produced everything on land
