Feudalism: Serfs, Knights & Castles

What is Feudalism? Feudalism is a term describing the relationship between lords (nobility and church), vassals, serfs, and freemen. A lord was the lawful owner of land. A vassal was granted use of the land, known as a fief, in exchange for an oath of fealty. Fealty included: loyalty, military service and products from the land. Serfs were bound to the land, while freemen worked the land in exchange for part of their production. Nobles, Knight, Vassals Freeman 2

The Feudal System The feudal system of government operated by means of allegiances and mutual protection. Medieval society was organized in a hierarchy. Pope King Lords Vassals Freemen Serfs 3

Advanced Feudal Pyramid Pope/Church Monarch Nobles Knights Vassals Merchants Serfs Farmers Craftsmen Peasants 4

Lords and Vassals The king controlled all the land of the kingdom. He was the numberone lord. He granted land to vassals and lords. This land was called a fief. Vassals could become lords by granting land to lesser vassals. The relation between a lord and his vassal was called fealty, meaning loyalty and obligation. Vassals and lords formed the aristocracy (nobility). Charlemagne receives oath of fealty from a high baron 5

Serfs Serfs were the peasant laborers of the fiefdom and they worked on a manor. They were bound to the land and could not leave. They could not be sold and were not slaves. They could be drafted for military service. They could also own property. 6

The Manor Manorialism was the rural economic system of medieval western Europe. Under the manorial system, lords granted land to vassals who directed the labor of serfs and freemen living on the land. Serfs and freemen had obligations to the vassal and lord in the form of labor, produce, or money. Provided food as well as a way to earn money Both men and women worked in the fields Without the fields, the peasants would not have been able to survive 7

What is a Fiefdom? Lands granted from a lord to his vassal were called fiefdoms. A vassal pledged a portion of the harvest from the fiefdom to the lord. A vassal also pledged men to support the lord s army. Fiefdom c. 1510 8

A Typical Fiefdom 9

Guilds Guilds controlled labor, production and trade. Guilds defined the rules of labor. Upon entering a guild, a craftsman began as an apprentice, working his way up to craftsman, journeyman, master, and finally grandmaster of his profession. 11

Freeman The category of freemen included tenant farmers as well as merchants, tradesmen and craftsmen. Craftsmen typically belonged to guilds. Medieval Market 12

The Village Villages were the center of peasants lives Inside a village you would find their houses, the market, miscellaneous shops and all of this would surround either a castle and/or a church 13

Medieval Houses Were constructed of a variety of materials such as wood or something called cob (a combination of mud and straw mixed with chalk) They were only meant to last about 20 years, then they are taken down and rebuilt Floors were covered with straw to pick up dirt and smells left by animals Each house had 1 door, 1 window, with a hearth or fireplace in the center of the house 14

Inside of a Medieval House owned by a wealthy person 16

Large Medieval City: Carcassone, France 19

The Medieval Institution of Knighthood In the early Middle Ages, the term knight meant a professional fighter. At that time, knights were often very poor. From the 12 th century, knights became a part of a mounted, armored cavalry. By the end of the Carolingian dynasty, knights had become a wealthy class of warriors. As with the trade guilds, only the sons of knights could become knights. By the 13 th century, knights were the warrior class of the nobility. 20

Code of Chivalry Knights had to follow a code of ethics. This was known as chivalry. Becoming a knight required an oath of chivalry. Knights swore: allegiance, chastity, protection of other Christians, and respect for the law. 21

The Castle A castle was a protective structure used by nobility. Castles were the residences of monarchs and nobles. A castle was a stronghold from which a lord could control surrounding territory. 22

Motte-and-Bailey Early castles are referred to as motte-and-bailey. They are characterized by a circular mound (motte) of earth surrounded by a dry ditch and flattened at the top. At the top of the mound was an enclosure (bailey) containing domestic quarters, horse stables, stores, blacksmith forges and water wells. Motte-and-Bailey, Gisors, France 23

Castle Construction Crane Castles were built of wood, stone, and also brick. Their construction required a large skilled workforce Castles typically have portcullises (fortified gates), battlements, and drawbridges. Scaffold 24

Ross Castle Killarney, Ireland 25

Beaumaris Castle, Wales 26

Conway Castle, Wales 33

Warwick Castle, England 34

Blarney Castle, Ireland 35