European Middle Ages

Chapter 13

Section 2- Feudalism in Europe

“ATTACK”

Invaders Attack Western Europe-

• The Vikings Invade from the North– Originally from Scandinavia

– Also known as Norsemen, were Germanic people

– Worshiped war like Gods and had brutal nicknames

• Ex. Eric Blood Axe and Thorfinn Skullsplitter

“I’m Sailing”

• Vikings attacked with terrifying speed– Carried swords and shields won and moved on

• Viking War Ships – Massive– Largest held 300 warriors and had 72 oars– Carving of a sea monster on the front of the

ship– Could weigh up to 20 tons fully loaded– Needed only three feet of water

• Vikings were warriors, traders, farmers and explorers

• Viking explorer Leif Ericson reached North America around 1,000 AD (500 years before Columbus)

• Vikings accepted Christianity and stopped raiding monasteries

• Better farming conditions = less need for Viking lifestyle

• Magyars and Muslims Attack from the East and South-

• Magyars- Nomads attacked from the east

– Attacked villages and monasteries

– Did not settle in conquered land, took slaves and sold them

• Muslims- Struck from the south

– Came up from Africa headed towards Spain and Italy

– Goal was to attack and plunder

800 – 1000 A.D. was a period of intense invasions that disrupted life in Europe and completely destroyed the former great Carolingian Empire of the Franks.

What lands did the Vikings raid?

Why were these invasions so

threatening to Europe?

“Here’s Looking at You Kid”

• Attacks by Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims caused widespread suffering

• People now looked to local rulers rather than kings

“Resistance is Futile”

• Feudalism-– A system of governing and land holding

• Based on rights and obligations

– Lord- Offered land for military protection

– Fief- Land Grant

– Vassal- One receiving land

– Similar to what existed in China under the Zhou Dynasty, and also in Japan

1. Explain the mutual obligations of the feudal system.

Land-lord (noble) owns a Manor (huge estate of land).

He gives a grant of land (fief) to someone who promises in exchange to provide military protection to the lord and his family, work the lord’s lands, and serve in other ways.

A person who receives land from a lord is a vassal.2. Why did the feudal system create complicated alliances?

The same noble might be a vassal himself to several different lords.

PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

“Pyramid Scheme”

• The Feudal Pyramid-

1.) King

2.) Vassals and Bishops

3.) Knights

4.) Peasants

The Feudal Pyramid

“Get in Line”

• Social Classes-1.) Those that fought

–Knights, Nobles

2.) Those who prayed–Men and Women of the Church

3.) Those who worked–Peasants/Serfs (bound to the land)

3. Describe feudal social classes.

Those who fought : nobles, knights, and kingsThose who prayed : the Church’s Clergy (priests, bishops, monks)Those who worked : Peasants (serfs)

Social class was usually inherited.

Those who fought Those who prayed Those who worked

PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

Manors: The Economics of Feudalism

• Manors: The lords estate

–Arrangement between lords and serfs

• Lords- Provided land, housing, and protection

• Serfs- Worked the land, cared for animals, performed various tasks

Manors: The Economics of Feudalism

• The Manor was a self sustaining community

• Peasants rarely moved more than 25 miles away from the manor

• Peasants produced crops, milk, cheese, fuel, cloth, leather goods, and lumber

• Outside purchases included salt, iron, and millstones

Manors: The Economics of Feudalism

• Peasants paid a heavy price to live on the Manor– Paid a grain tax

– Marriage tax

– Tithe- Church tax (Paid by the lord and peasant) • One tenth of their income

– Lived in small homes

– Accepted this lifestyle as part of the church’s teachings

6. Explain why serfs accepted their economic hardships.

They were taught by the Church and believed that God “determined” a person’s social position before they were born.

To leave the community in which they were born… would be questioning God’s wisdom.

And it was a sin to question the Church!

PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.