Feudalism and Manors

1. Feudalism and Manors Feudalism and manorialism structured and organized European society.

3. The System • It was simple, but effective and all land was owned by the King. On quarter was kept by the King for his property, some was given to the church and the rest was leased out under strict controls. The land given was known as a fief. • The King had complete control and owned all land. He decided who to lease land to and only gave it to men he could trust. Before they got it they had to swear an oath to remain faithful to the King. The people who owned the leased property were known as Nobles; they were wealthy, powerful and had complete control of the land.

4. The System • Nobles leased land which was known as a manor. They were the Lord of that manor. They established their own system of justice, minted their own money and set their own taxes. However; they had to serve on the royal council, pay rent and provide the King with Knights for military service. • They also had to provide lodging and food for the King and his court when they travelled. They kept the land they wanted and split the rest between the Knights. Nobles were very rich.

5. The System • Knights had to protect the Nobles and his family, as well as the Manor, from attack. Knights kept the amount of land they received from the Nobles for themselves and split the rest up for the Vassals. The Vassals were not as rich as the Nobles, but were quite wealthy. • Vassals, had to provide the Knights with free labor, food, and services, whenever it was demanded. Peasants were not allowed to leave the Manor and had to ask the Lord’s permission before they could marry. Peasants were poor.

6. The System • The Title of Fief became hereditary. The land could be passed from the Vassal to his eldest son, which is called primogeniture. • Women’s rights regarding legal property were limited. They may have had Fiefs in their dowry. However, when she married, her husband gained control over her dowry, only time she would regain her land was the death of her husband.

7. The Church • The Church was even part of the feudal system. It owned vast amounts of land and had many vassals who were granted Fiefs in return for military protection and service.

8. Warfare • Wars were very common during the middle ages. Most wars were private wars between feudal lords or lords and vassals, and were local conflicts that only involved a handful of nobles and their knights. • Warfare caused much suffering and hardship. The church tried to limit the general suffering by issuing several decrees that prohibited acts of violence against cattle and agricultural equipment and fighting near churches and other holy buildings. If broken they were punished by the church.

10. Knights • Knight’s armor was essential. They were covered from head to foot. They would first put on light clothing, followed by heavy padding, ending with a coat of chainmail. Chainmail was formed of thousands of little metal rings linked together. After a while, chainmail proved to be too heavy so they replace it with metal plates instead. • They would also wear a bucket like helmet with visors to protect the sides. The armor itself would weigh anywhere from 40-60 lbs. The more wealthy knights would even cover their horses in armor.

11. Knights • The path of a Knight started at an extremely early age. They were of noble decent and were sent away at the age of 7 to become a Page. Three main skill were taught as they advanced throughout their training. These skills were Horsemanship, archery, and swordsmanship. • A big misconception that is associated with Knight Guilds is that all of them were male. While they were rare there were in fact female guilds. • The next step began at age 10. They would be come a squire. In this section of his/her training the student would continue to improve physical strength and further their skills. One huge part of their training was when they were matched with a Knight who would train them. In return the squire would take care of the Knights horse.

12. Chivalry • As they passed through the path to becoming a Knight they learned many other things including Chivalry also known as their code of honor. • To respect the honor of women • Never to refuse a challenge from an equal • To live by honor and for glory • To serve the liege lord in valor and faith • This was very important because it kept the Knights inline. It would lead the course of the rest of their life.

13. Manorial System • Feudalism provided social and political structure to the culture of the Middle ages. • Manors were large farming estates that included manor houses, cultivated lands, woodlands, pastures, fields, and villages. • A lord and several peasants families shared the land of the manor. • In the manorial system peasants worked the land in exchange for some of their crops. • Peasant life was hard, they could not leave the land

14. Peasant life Primary Source: “I worked very hard. I go out at dawn, driving the oxen to the field, and I yoked them to the plough; however hard the winter I dare not stay at home for fear of my master; but, having yoked the oxen and made the plough-share… fast to plough, every day I have to plough a whole acre or more… It is hard work, because I am not a free man.” According to this document what does this say about peasant life? Why did the peasant find his work to be especially hard?

15. Peasant Life • They lived short lives due to the lack of nutrients, disease, starvation, and frequent warfare. • Forbidden to hunt on the lord’s land. Meals consisted of black bread, lentils, some vegetables, and ale.

16. Nobles’ Lifestyles • The upper classes did not live in luxury or even in comfort by today’s standards. • They lived in dark and cold castles. • Most of their time was spent looking after their land and dispensing justice among their vassals and serfs. • Marriage was looked at as an advancement in fortune, through a dowry one could obtain land.