Key Terms - Feudalism

Feudalism Lord Vassal Fief Investiture Primogeniture Chivalry Manorial System

Manor Moat Serf Free Peasant

Background - Feudalism

With the constant invasions by foreign tribes into France, the French kings were forced to bribe the foreign invaders to prevent them from constantly attacking their lands.

The first feudal contract occurred in 911 between Charles the Simple and King Rollo of the Vikings.

Feudalism → system of government in which pledges of loyalty were given in return for land and protection.

The Parts of Feudalism Kings used the armies raised by nobles to fight outside

invaders. The nobles were considered lords or those who had land to

give. To supply the king with the armies he needed, lords would give

small pieces of land known as fiefs to people of the lower classes.

These people who received land were known as vassals. This fief could be passed down via primogeniture → idea that

the eldest male inherits the family property. Vassals, in exchange for the land, were to:

Provide at the least 40 days of military service Feudal aids (house lords, provide food, pay for dowries and

knightings)

The Feudal System

The Knight Knights → armored warriors

on horseback.

A person would begin training to be a knight at age 7.

Person would be taught how to horseback ride, forge and maintain armor, and learn to use spears and swords.

Knights would also be trained in chivalry → code of conduct for knights

By age 21, the person would have acquired the training to

be knighted.

Medieval Weapons

Medieval Armor

The Manorial System

The economic system between lords and vassals was known as the manorial system.

The land was the most important part of this economic system as it provided living space and crops with which to pay rent and taxes.

This economic system was based around the manor → collection of the lord's house and all the property on the lord's land.

Lords would surround their houses with a moat → ring of water used to slow invasion.

The Feudal Manor

Serfs vs. Free Peasants

Serfs → peasants who were bound to the land.

Serfs were forced to do all of the labor on large farms, were usually given small tracts of land that were barely enough to survive.

Serf could become free if he stays off of the manor for 366 days.

Free peasants → lower class workers who were not bound to the land, could come and go as they pleased.