Chapter 13 Section 2 TermsFeudalismFiefVassalPrimogenitureManorialismSerfsChivalry

Chapter 13 Section 3 TermsSacramentsSaint BenedictCanon LawInterdictHereticsSimonyInquisition

Lesson Objective

Our lesson today is on the political structure of the

feudal system and the importance of the relationship between

lords and vassals during the Middle Ages.

PYRAMID OF POWER

M&M Activity

2 Minute Writing: Do you think the feudal system was fair? Why or why not?

Feudalism The legal and social

system that existed in medieval Europe after the reign of Charlemagne.

Under this System a noble (Lord) granted land (Fief) to a lesser noble (Vassal).

In exchange for the fief a vassal promised loyalty, and military service to the lord.

The Manor System Manorialism: the

economic system in much of Europe during the middle ages.

People who lived on manors needed to be self-sufficient.

A lord and several peasant families shared the land of the manor.

Lord kept about 1/3 of the lands for himself (called the domain)

Peasant Life Peasant life was difficult. Peasants (or serfs) could not

leave the land without the lord’s permission.

Paid about 70% of their income/goods to their Lord.

Meal consisted mainly of bread, lentils, some vegetables, and ale.

Life expectance was short. Lived, worked, and died all

in the village they were born.

Nobles’ Lifestyles Did not live in

luxury. Castle had thick

walls and small windows; rooms were dark and chilly.

Lords spent the day looking after their land and administering justice among his vassals and serfs.

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What is a Knight? Almost all nobles were knights Training began at age 7, as a page,

under the guidance of the lady of the manor

Became squires at age 15 and were trained by other knights in the code of chivalry and the use of weapons.

When ready the squires would accompany the knights into battle. Those deemed worthy were “dubbed” knights.

Chivalry

Code of conduct that dictated knights’ behavior towards others.

Knights were expected to be courageous, fight fairly, be loyal, keep their word, treat conquered foes gallantly, and be courteous to women and the less powerful.

Knights armor weighed about 100 lbs.

Chain armorArmor made of overlapping

metal and leather.

COAT OF ARMS ASSIGNMENT: Create your own Coat of

Arms. Use the handout and page 299 of your

textbook to create your own Coat of Arms.

Your Coat of Arms must include: 1. Background/Field color.2. Other colors of the shield (Follow the

handout closely).3. Charge (picture): Animal, pun on your

family name, important event or quality of your life. (Something that represents you!)

Bell Quiz1) Provide an example of a power

struggle that either you are currently engaged in with your parents OR a power struggle that you already encountered with your parents. What happened? What was the end result? Were you punished? If so, how?

2) List the goals of each side engaged in the power struggle. In other words, what were both of you trying to achieve?

The Church Medieval Church had broad

political powers (central governments were weak)

Church powers extended across kingdoms and through every social and political level.

Church vs. Monarchs and church members: Page

302-303Canon Law: The church had its own laws and courts. Members of the church and the clergy could be tried and convicted in church courts.Policy/Action What is it? How was it used to make

the church powerful?ExcommunicationInterdictLay InvestitureSimonyInquisition

Political Economic and Social Role of the Church. Popes held some political power, not just

spiritual power over European monarchs. Church had its own code of law, called cannon

law, and its own courts. Members of the church and members of the

clergy could be found guilty in court and excommunicated.

Excommunication: Person is kicked out of the church and not allowed to participate in the sacraments and other ordinances needed for the afterlife.

Held much economic power during the Middle Ages.– One of Europe’s leading landowners.– Many of its leaders were powerful feudal overlords.

The clergy was involved with social work and took care of the poor and needy, and established hospitals.

Problems of the Church The church’s great wealth and influence

led to many problems. Interdict: Churches in an entire region

would be closed and no sacraments or ordinances performed.

People could buy high positions within the church hierarchy from a Lord (Simony).

In the 1200’s the church attempted to reform itself by seeking out Heretics (people who do not believe or live the doctrines of their faith).

The search for heretics is known as the Inquisition.– Those who confessed could be forgiven.– Those who did not confess were punished (ex.

burned at the stake).

Monarchs vs. Popes1) Create a catchy newspaper headline

for each event listed below.2) Write a story in your own words for

each headline using at least 3 sentences.

Use pages 311-313:1) Henry III2) Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII *Be sure to include the Concordat of

Worms3) Pope Innocent III *Be sure to include King John and

Philip Augustus.