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Feudal SocietyPolitical Structure

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WHY WAS FEUDALISM NECESSARY?

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Who’s got the Power? Power based on owning land Charles Martel started giving soldiers fiefs (land) as

rewards for service Soldiers got money from fiefs to buy equipment and

horses for battle. Due to this, ownership became tied to military service.

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Charlemagne Stands out during Middle Ages. Tries to bring back Roman Ideals. Ruled the Franks, who were

becoming a powerful group of people.

Who’s Your Daddy?

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Europe after Charlemagne No central government at this time. Kings weak; Nobles gained power. Nobles soon began to give land to peasants by

promising to protect them for their loyalty. By 1000 AD, W. Europe divided into thousands of

feudal territories. Peasants had no voice in government; Nobles

controlled land AND people.

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Relationship Between Lords and Vassals

Rigid class structure based on loyalty and service.

Nobles consisted of lords and vassals – all reported to King.

Fiefs given to vassals by lords. Lords gave vassals right to govern people

living on fief and promised to protect them from attacks.

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What is a Knight? Almost all nobles were knights. Training began at age 7, as a paige,

under guidance of lady of the manor. Became squires at 15 and were trained

by other knights. Those deemed worthy were “dubbed”

knights.

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What about the females? Noblewomen called Ladies. Most marriages arranged. Women responsible for the house and

children.

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Workers on the Manor 2 groups of peasant workers on manor

Freemen- skilled workers; paid rent and could leave manor when they wished. (Usually had skill needed on the manor.)

Serfs – workers bound to land by contract with the nobles. (Had no freedom - noble’s property.)

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Angles, Saxons, and Magyars, Oh My!!

Angles and Saxons (from England)

Vikings (from N. Europe)

Magyars (from Hungary/Central Asia)

Their attacks made the fiefs have to defend themselves.

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Castles Built in response to the constant invasions. Best defense tactic for trying to invade castle, wait it out

until people inside starve to death. In the long-run, they helped to strengthen the feudal

system.

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REVIEW

1) Everyone owed loyalty to the ________2) _______ were really the most powerful.

They got _______ from the king.3) Lesser nobles (knights) gave _________

_________ in return for land4) _______ were bound to the land. They

worked in return for ____________.5) __________ were skilled workers. They

paid rent to the ______ and were free to move if they wanted to.

Let’s see how much you remember!

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Check Your Answers1) Everyone owed loyalty to the king.2) Nobles were really the most powerful.

They got land from the king.3) Lesser nobles (knights) gave military

service in return for land.4) Serfs were bound to the land. They

worked in return for protection.5) Freemen were skilled workers. They

paid rent to the nobles and were free to move if they wanted to.

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THE ENDHISTORY

NOTES