Feudalism

Invasions of Europe by: Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims

People begin to seek local leaders and lords for help and protection.

Feudalistic Society

Wealthy elites formed a small noble ruling class and majority of people were from the common serf class.

Manor = Basic Economic and Political Unit. Medieval lives revolved around the manor.

Feudalism DefinitionsKing: Leading lord and noble who appoints

local lords to administrate local lands.Lords: Noble landowner who is granted land

called a fief by the king in exchange for military service. Anyone who receives a fief is called a vassal.

Knights: Mounted horsemen and warriors who pledged to serve a local lord in exchange for a fief.

Serfs: Peasants who were the majority of the population. Could not leave the land where they were born. Their labor belongs to the knights and lords.

Tithe = Church Tax (Paid on top of local taxes to the lord). The Church’s power increased.

Serfdom = Virtual Slavery (Never traveled more than 25 miles from the manor)