Key Terms - Feudalism

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Key Terms - Feudalism

• Feudalism
• Lord
• Vassal
• Fief
• Investiture
• Primogeniture
• Chivalry
• Manorial System

• Manor
• Moat
• Serf
• Free Peasant

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Background - Feudalism

• With the constant invasions by foreign tribes
  into France, the French kings were forced to
  bribe the foreign invaders to prevent them from
  constantly attacking their lands.
• The first feudal contract occurred in 911 between
  Charles the Simple and King Rollo of the Vikings.
• Feudalism ? system of government in which pledges
  of loyalty were given in return for land and
  protection.

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The Parts of Feudalism

• Kings used the armies raised by nobles to fight
  outside invaders.
• The nobles were considered lords or those who had
  land to give.
• To supply the king with the armies he needed,
  lords would give small pieces of land known as
  fiefs to people of the lower classes.
• These people who received land were known as
  vassals.
• This fief could be passed down via primogeniture
  ? idea that the eldest male inherits the family
  property.
• Vassals, in exchange for the land, were to
• Provide at the least 40 days of military service
• Feudal aids (house lords, provide food, pay for
  dowries and knightings)

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The Feudal System
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The Knight

• Knights ? armored warriors on horseback.
• A person would begin training to be a knight at
  age 7.
• Person would be taught how to horseback ride,
  forge and maintain armor, and learn to use spears
  and swords.
• Knights would also be trained in chivalry ? code
  of conduct for knights
• By age 21, the person would have acquired the
  training to be knighted.

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Medieval Weapons
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Medieval Armor
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The Manorial System

• The economic system between lords and vassals was
  known as the manorial system.
• The land was the most important part of this
  economic system as it provided living space and
  crops with which to pay rent and taxes.
• This economic system was based around the manor ?
  collection of the lord's house and all the
  property on the lord's land.
• Lords would surround their houses with a moat ?
  ring of water used to slow invasion.

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The Feudal Manor
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Serfs vs. Free Peasants

• Serfs ? peasants who were bound to the land.
• Serfs were forced to do all of the labor on large
  farms, were usually given small tracts of land
  that were barely enough to survive.
• Serf could become free if he stays off of the
  manor for 366 days.
• Free peasants ? lower class workers who were not
  bound to the land, could come and go as they
  pleased.