Medieval Period Feudalism and Manorialism

World Civilization Prepared by: Ma. Reglyn C. Rosaldo MAEd SS

Why Feudal Society?

After the fall of the Roman Empire

Western Europe had no countries Numerous tribes fought for domination over territories No central governments or national armies

Frankish tribes established control over vast areas

Charlemagne & Feudal Society

One Frankish King, Charlemagne ruled a large chunk of Europe

From northern Spain and Italy through France, Germany and Poland
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Who was Charlemagne?

Charlemagne (2 April 742 or 747 28 January 814) Also known as Charles the Great Son of King Pippin the Short and Bertrada of Laon King of the Franks from 768 to 814 & King of the Lombards from 774 to 814
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Crowned Imperator Augustus in Rome on Christmas Day, 800 by Pope Leo III
Is regarded as the founder of the Holy Roman Empire

Is today regarded as the founding father of both France and Germany The first truly imperial power in the West since the fall of Rome
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Charlemange

Charlemagne Documentary

Charlemagne & Feudal Society

To control such a large territory, Charlemagne instituted a feudal system of government In feudalism, the King owned all of the land

Feudal Society

Feudalism- Political system of local government based on the granting of land in return for loyalty, military assistance, and other services. Was a way of life where there was no centralized government or leadership and power was in the hands of the lords
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The Rise of Feudalism Political and Social Organization of Medieval Europe

Oath of loyalty/military support

King

Grant Fief (land) Shelter/food

Shelter/food And protection

Loyalty/military
Labor, rent

Vassal (Lord) Knights Serfs and Peasants (90% of population)

Feudal Society

Allowed large territories to be governed in the absence of a central government Each lord or vassal raised an army

To defend his fief To serve the King as needed

The Nobles were very powerful because they controlled the armies

Often warred amongst themselves over territories

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What is a Knight?

While still young, the lord had already received training to become a good and skilled warrior. Training began at age 7, as a page, under the guidance of the Lady of the Manor Became squires at age 14 and were trained by other Knights At age 21, he became a knight. A knight is a warrior seated on top a horse.
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What is a Knight?

The Black Knight

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The Code of Conduct of a Knight

Chivalry cheval (horse) - chevalier (warrior seated on top of a horse) The knight was expected to be loyal and courteous. He displayed bravery and strength in times of war. He must not be bothered by hardships. In front of his fellow knights, he must be a true friend and a natural leader.
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Knights & Feudal Society

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Workers on the Manor

There were two groups of peasant workers on the manor

Freemen- skilled workers who paid rent and could leave the manor whenever they wished.

usually had a skill needed by others on the manor

Serfs workers bound to the land by contract with the Nobles

no freedom were the Nobles property

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Life in Medieval Europe

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Feudal Society: Serfs

Serfs

Farmed the land Provided the vassal or Lord with wealth

Food Products

Bound to the land

In the vassal's interest to protect them

Fiefs -- and the obligation to serve the king -were inherited by the eldest son of the ruling Nobleman
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Serfs
Medieval Europe: Serfs

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Manorialism
A system that guided the method of farming, the life of peasants and their relationship with one another and with the lord of the manor. The wealth of the lord came from the sweat of peasants. Manorialism shaped the economy of much of Europe. For safety and defense, people in the Middle Ages formed small communities around a central lord or master. Most people (lords and serfs) lived on a manor, which consisted of the castle, the church, the village, and the surrounding farm land.

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Manorialism

In return for being able to work the land, the peasants gave the lord some of their crops (taxes) and helped to farm his land. Land was often divided into three large fields for growing grain. Only two of the three fields were planted at one time. The third field could lie fallow, or unplanted, for a season to regain its fertility.

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The Three Field System

The method of crop rotation, or the three field system, was developed during the middle ages. Originally half the land would be planted and the other half would be fallow (unplanted) Under the new system the land was divided into three fields. Two were planted and one would be left fallow. Crops which used different nutrients would be planted in the two fields and would rotate to let the soil rest.
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In the three field system one was planted with grains which were harvested in the summer. The second was planted in the spring with grains such as oats and barley and vegetables such as peas and beans. Which were harvested in the fall. The third field was left fallow, or unplanted.

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Many peasants at this time became serfs. A serf was a peasant who was bound to the land and didnt really own any land of their own.

As the population of Europe increased during this time there was less land to go around. Many peasants lost their holdings and became serfs. Serfs could not leave the manor, they had to work to pay rent, and had to pay fines and fees for various services on the manor. Serfs also could not marry without the Lords permission.

In exchange for their labor, the lords of the Manors did owe the serfs protection in the event of invasion. They also were able to keep a percentage of the crops they produced on the manor for their own families.

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The Village

Next to the field were one or two villages where the peasants who tilled the land lived. The houses were on both sides of narrow road. Every village had a church. This was the center of village life.

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Castles & Manor Houses

Originated as housing for military forces Evolved into residences for Nobles Designed for defense

Had to Provide centralized protection for those under the protection of the Noble
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Castles & Manor Houses

Stone castles were built:

For Stability To symbolize the power of the Lords of the Kingdom For Protection

Even if the King did not order a particular castle to be built for his use, he still retained the ability to seize any of his Lords'

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The Growth of Towns and Cities

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The Revival of Trade

Medieval Europe was a mostly agrarian society, but during the eleventh and twelfth centuries Europe experienced a growth in towns and cities. The increase in agricultural output allowed for the development of trade. By the end of the tenth century people emerged with skills and products for trade. Invasions were also diminishing during this time and the increased stability helped to foster trade.
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Cities has been around since Roman times, and many of the old Roman cities began to reemerge as trade centers. There were also new trading centers. Some of these cities included:

Venice in Northern Italy was a center with ties to the Byzantine Empire and the Middle East. Flanders in Northern France was famous for its wool industry.

Trade also helped Europe culturally, the Crusades introduced Middle Eastern good into European markets. Europeans also learned about the cultivation of oranges, sugar, and rice as well as techniques for irrigation, papermaking and how to use a compass.

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Trade Fairs

Fairs were large markets where merchants got together to exchange their goods. As trade increased, there was a demand for gold and silver instead of bartered goods. This led to the development of a money economy based on the exchange of coins for goods. This increase in trade led to commercial capitalism, an economic system in which people invest in trade and goods in order to make profits.
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The Growth of Cities

Increased trade led to merchants settling in old Roman cities, they were later joined by craftspeople and artisans. This influx of people revitalized these old cities. There were also new cities founded by the same groups. Merchants would build near and castle or along a trade route where a lord offered them protection, if things went well a wall was built around the new city to offer protection.
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Government
Due to the growth of the town and the growth of commerce, there arose a need for a type of town/city government. Medieval cities developed their own governmental systems. There would usually be a city council which would serve as judges and city officials and also passed laws. The Patrician, or upper, class tended to dominate the politics of the towns and cities.

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The Guild System

It was not only commerce that became the means of livelihood of towns and cities. Another was expertise in a craft. The people in towns turned their backs on farming. Merchants in medieval cities formed guilds, or business associations. Guilds managed tanners, carpenters, bankers as well as merchants of silk, spices, wool and the banking industry.
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Guilds

Guilds regulated every aspect of a business. The set quality standards, specified methods of production, and fixed prices. In order to operate a business, one had to belong to a guild.
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Joining a Guild
There was a process to becoming a member of a guild. The first step was to be an apprentice: A young boy, around the age of 10, would go and work for a craftsman without pay to help learn the craft. Later apprentices became journeymen, who worked for a wages for craftsmen.

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The Masterpiece
For a journeyman to become a master craftsman, he had to complete a Masterpiece. This was their audition for the guild to determined if their work made the qualified enough to join the guild and start their own business. Then they could become a Master Craftsman and own their own business.
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Bourgeoisie
The triumph of the townspeople in their struggle for greater self-government meant that a new class evolved in Europe - a powerful, independent, and self-assured group, whose interest in trade was to revolutionize social, economic, and political history. The members of this class were called burghers and came to be called bourgeoisie. Kings came to rely more and more on them in combating the power of the feudal lords, and their economic interest gave rise to an early capitalism. Also associated with the rise of towns and the bourgeoisie were the decline of serfdom and the manorial system and the advent of modern society.

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