The Feudal System

1. Medieval Europe The Feudal System

2. Social Classes King Noble / Bishop Knight / Clergy Serf

3. KING During the middle ages Europe was divided into huge pieces of land or kingdoms ruled by kings. The king was rich and powerful. He made all the laws, owned all the land, and led the country’s army.

4. KING Dangers to the King Lack of support from your nobles Lack of support from the church The knights turned against you and rebelled Angry peasants armed with spades and pitchforks

5. NOBLE Given pieces of land, called fiefs or manors, by the king in return for their loyalty and soldiers Ruled their fiefdom like a king Males were referred to as Duke, Count, Lord, Baron or Earl. Females were referred to as Duchess, Countess, Lady or Baroness.

6. NOBLE Nobles led comfortable lives. They spent money on jewelry, fancy clothes, and furnishings like tapestries.

7. Knights Pledged their loyalty to kings, queens or lords Fought in exchange for large plots of land and the right to rule over the peasants who lived and worked on them Wore strong armor and fought on horseback with deadly weapons. Followed rules of good behavior called a Code of Chivalry.

8. Knights Training At age 7 or 8 a boy became a page for a knight and served his master and his family. Learned how to fight with swords and hunt with falcons or hawks. The page then became a squire at fourteen. He learned how to use weapons and became a skilled horseman. The squire became a knight after years of training and practice. Any knight could grant knighthood to a squire by saying “I dub thee knight” at a special ceremony.

9. Bishop-Clergy They were Catholic leaders in one area of the country. Looked after all the Catholic people in the church. Clergy ran the churches and held services among the peasants. Taught from the Bible, which was in Latin, and most people could not read it

10. Peasants They farmed the land of knights, nobles and kings. In return the landowners protected them from enemy attack. Two kinds of peasants: freemen and villains Freemen owned their own land and they paid their lord either money or food. Villeins worked part time for the lord for food and did not own their land or have any rights or freedom.

11. Peasant Life Lived in small one or two room cottages. Many times they shared their home with the animals. Worked sunrise to sunset either farming or caring for the livestock. Wore coarse homespun wool or linen clothing and sometimes got hand-me downs from the knight. Their diet consisted of simple foods like dark bread, bacon or pork pies, porridge, cheese, vegetables, and eggs.

12. Castles The center of the medieval community. Like a small town. Provided shelter for the king, nobles, or knights, his family, and his servants. Served as protection in time of war and a safe base from the army. Center of government, trade, and education. Many small towns, villages, and farms were built around the castle.