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European European FeudalisFeudalism, 500-m, 500-1100 CE1100 CE
600-1450 Lesson 7600-1450 Lesson 7
Mixed TraditionsMixed Traditions• Roman Legacy
– Christianity– Social Stratification– Concepts of loyalty,
wealth, & entitlement
• Germanic Traditions– Tribalism & local
allegiance– Superstition & fatalism
The Role of the The Role of the ChurchChurch• Europe after fall of Rome
– Politically & culturally fragmented
– Church provides unity & common ground
– Concepts of time & the future largely apocalyptic
• The Pope– “Supreme representative of God”
• Roman & early Christian origins
– Only common authority—even kings bow to him
• What does he control? What do they?
The Church & The Church & SocietySociety• Medieval society was extremely
ignorant; Church is sole source of intellectual activity– Literacy & responsibility of clergy
– Interpretations very simple & very literal
• Your primary concern--salvation for your soul (domain of the Church)– Thus, what is the Medieval world
view?
• Importance of symbology– Divine Right of Kings (Charlemagne)
FeudalismFeudalism• Social/political/economic system based
on the exchange of loyalties for service-based (feuds) or land-based fees (fiefs)
• Conditions that allowed for this system: – Lack of security
– New military technology
– Expense of political survival
The Feudal The Feudal ArrangementArrangement• Interested Parties:
– Lords: has economic & political power, but needs service
– Vassals: one who can provide service but needs political & economic support
• Vassals swear allegiance and promise labor/military service to lords in exchange for land and protection
Feudalism ExpandsFeudalism Expands• Over time, feudal arrangements linked
less to land, more to political power– Kings to other Kings
– Kings to Clergy
– Kings to Popes
– Popes to Kings
Feudalism & Feudalism & ManorialismManorialism• Feudalism establishes
loyalty for warring classes
• Warring classes depend on landed estates for economic resources
• Estates worked by peasants, who are vulnerable to attack
• Peasants enter feudal arrangement & become serfs
Coercive Labor: SerfdomCoercive Labor: Serfdom• Peasants & Serfs: laboring
classes--about 85% of Medieval society– Peasants: poor landowners or
work the lord’s land in exchange for rent--can move if they wish
– Serfs: tied to the lord’s land because they owe a debt (economic or political)
• By 1000, almost 90% of European peasants are enserfed
Women in Feudal Women in Feudal SocietySociety• Feudal society = military
society—male-dominated• Critical social responsibilities:
– financial management of estates
– benefactors of religious establishments, charity
• Code of Chivalry—women idolized
• Ecclesiastical views: feminine = temptation, evil
Conclusions:Conclusions:• Medieval society was dominated by a
rigid hierarchy carried over from Roman & Germanic traditions
• Everyone owed allegiance to someone--those with the most fiefs had the greatest power
• The Church dominated everything--cross doctrinal lines and you lose your wealth, your relationships, and (theoretically) your soul
Focus ActivityFocus Activity• In a paragraph or two,
explain the effects of feudalism on European development—what are its impacts on the economy, on social life, on political development, and on interaction with other societies?
• Turn in before you leave today!