Feudalism in Europe

The Color is Red

Rise of Feudalism From 850 to 950 there were a series of invasions

The Muslims attacked the southern coast of Europe The Maygyars from western Asia moved into centrol

Europe Vikings attacked and moved into a section of France

that came to be known as Normandy Rulers found it more difficult to defend their subjects Feudalism, a system of governing and landholding

came about as an agreement between rulers and warriors

A powerful lord offered protection in return for service

Feudal System

Based on mutual obligations Very complex Social classes well defined and

inherited

Social Class Triangle

King

Vassals

Bishops/Nobles

Knights

Serfs

King

Vassals

Bishops/Nobles

Knights

Serfs

Serfs

Majority of people were serfs They were tied to the land Very poor and uneducated Did not own land, nothing to pass on,

so could not better themselves Worked the land for the noble and

allowed to keep some of the crops

Knights

Mounted, armored warriors Defended their lord’s land Held great social prestige Young knights practiced their skills in

tournaments and in jousting (individual combat between two knights)

Defended the lord’s land

Picture of a Knight

Jousting

Powerful Vassals

Nobles and bishops Served as a lord in a military capacity Granted large tracts of land Pledged their loyalty

King

Highest level in feudal society King awarded tracts of land to nobles

In Summary

Feudalism was based upon land ownership. The more land you owned, the higher your position in society