Feudalism and the Rise of Towns
Learning Target 7.33: I can describe the development of feudalism and manorialism, its role in
the medieval European economy, and the way in which it was influenced by physical geography
(the role of the manor and the growth of towns).
Learning Target 7.41: I can trace the emergence of a modern economy, including the growth of
banking, technological and agricultural improvements, commerce, towns, and a merchant class.
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 400 – 1400 A.D.
The Middle Ages or
Medieval Period
400-1400
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
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
b7s
Learning Target 7.33
I can describe the development of
feudalism and manorialism, its role
in the medieval European economy,
and the way in which it was
influenced by physical geography
(the role of the manor and the
growth of towns).
B4,5
The Rise of Feudalism – Political and Social
Organization of Medieval Europe
•After the fall of Rome, Western Europe was a scary place!
•Causes of Feudalism:
• No large army to protect from invaders
• Needed social/political order and stability
• 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!
b6
The Manor System – The Medieval Economic System
• Sometimes called
manorialism
• Completely selfsufficient
(everything that
was needed was on
the manor)
• Very little reason to
leave or travel
beyond your manor
The Manor
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.
Feudalism in the Middle Ages
Social
Political
Religious
• Strict social
• Feudalism: kings • Rise in the power
hierarchy based
and nobles
of the Pope and
on the feudal
exchange land for
Roman Catholic
pyramid
loyalty and
Church
• Social status
protection
• Pope had power
determined by
• Decentralized
of
excommunication
birth
government
• Lack of social
• People followed
mobility
religious Canon
• Code of chivalry
Law—led by Pope
Intellectual Technological
Economic
• Technology slow to • Manorialism
• Decline in
progress as
learning as
• Manor system—
exchange of ideas
population shifts
completely selfdecline
to rural areas
sufficient
• Most technology
• Most people
because it had
was used for military
were illiterate
everything that
or farming
(crossbow, armor,
• Priests and
was needed
long bow, siege
monks could
• Little use of
weapons, early
read and write—
money
guns, heavy plough,
wrote books,
• Little to no trade
water and wind
mostly religious
• Pay 10% tithe to
mills, mechanical
the church
clocks, stirrups, hour
glass, glass, printing
press)