Feudalism in Europe Chapter 13

Section 2 Pages 322-326

Terms to know:

Lord Fief Vassal Knight Serf Manor Tithe

Main Idea

Feudalism in Europe was a system of political alliances and protective military relationships.

The rights and duties of feudal relationships helped shape today’s forms of representative government.

New Invasions Trouble Western Europe

Carolingian Empire destroyed between 800-1000. Muslims seize Sicily and raid Italy,

they sack Rome in 846. Magyar invaders attack Italy and

Germany. Vikings attack the south.

Vikings: Raiders, Traders , and Explorers

Norsemen – Germanic people from Scandinavia.

They worship warlike gods. Nicknames:

Eric BloodaxeThorfinn Skullsplitter

Vikings

Strike fast and retreat to sea. Largest warships held 300, used

72 oars. Ships might weigh 20 tons, but

could sail in 3 feet of water.

Vikings

Not just warriors, but farmers and explorers.Down rivers to central Russia.To Constantinople.Across the North Atlantic.

Leif Ericson

Reached North America around 1000. 500 years before

Columbus. Son of Erik the Red.

Viking terror fades as…..

Vikings accept Christianity. Warming trend in Europe makes farming

in Scandinavia easier. Agricultural settlements in Greenland and

Iceland prosper.

MagyarsNomadic people from what is now

Hungary.Superb Horsemen. Invade western Europe in the 800sThey capture people to sell as slaves.They DON’T settle conquered lands.

Muslims

Struck form the south. Controlled the Mediterranean, disrupted

trade. Tried to conquer and settle Europe in the

600s and 700s. Excellent sailors, they attacked as far

inland as Switzerland.

Result of Invasions:

Europeans live in constant danger. Central authority proved powerless. People look to local leaders with their own

armies. Strong local leaders gain followers and

political strength.

Feudalism Structures Society

In 911, former enemies meet in a peace ceremony Rollo - a Viking chief

And Charles the Simple – King of France.

Details of the Peace

Charles grants Rollo a large section of France. It becomes known as Northmen’s land, or

Normandy. Rollo swears a pledge of loyalty.

Roland swears fealty to Charlemagne.

A New Social Order

Feudalism – a system based on mutual obligations. Lord = landowner who grants land. Fief = land granted by a lord. Vassal = receives the fief from the lord in

exchange for loyalty and military service to the lord.

The Feudal Pyramid

King Most powerful vassals

Nobles and Bishops (wealthy landowners) Knights – mounted warriors

Landless peasants who work in the fields.

Feudalism

Often got complex A noble might be vassal to several different

lords.

Social Classes Well Defined

People classed into 3 groups: Those who fought - Nobles and Knights. Those who prayed – Men and women of the

Church. Those who worked – Peasants.

Serfs

People who could not lawfully leave the place where they were born.

The vast majority of people in Europe during the Middle Ages were serfs.

They are bound to the land, but are not slaves. They could not be bought or sold by the lord.

Manors

The lord’s estate. Lords provide serfs with housing, strips of

farmland and protection from bandits. Serfs tend the land, care for animals, and

maintained the estate. Serf women work with their husbands. Serfs owe their labor and a part of their

grain to the lord.

Manor Life Peasants rarely traveled more than 25

miles. Manors consist of:

Manor house Church Workshops 15 - 30 families. Fields, pastures, and forest surround the

village. Streams and ponds provide fish.

Manor Life

A self-sufficient community. Serfs produce:

Crops Fuel Cloth Leather Goods Lumber

Manor Life

Peasants pay a taxes To live on the lord’s land. On grain ground at the lord’s mill. On marriage.

Tithes to the Church were collected after taxes were paid. Tithes are one-tenth of income.

Serf Life

Live in crowded cottages with one or two rooms.

Warm their dirt-floor house by bringing pigs inside.

Slept on piles of straw. Diet consisted of vegetables, coarse

bread, grain, cheese, and soup.