European European FeudalisFeudalism, 500-m, 500-1100 CE1100 CE

600-1450 Lesson 7600-1450 Lesson 7

Mixed TraditionsMixed Traditions• Roman Legacy

– Christianity– Social Stratification– Concepts of loyalty,

wealth, & entitlement

• Germanic Traditions– Tribalism & local

allegiance– Superstition & fatalism

The Role of the The Role of the ChurchChurch• Europe after fall of Rome

– Politically & culturally fragmented

– Church provides unity & common ground

– Concepts of time & the future largely apocalyptic

• The Pope– “Supreme representative of God”

• Roman & early Christian origins

– Only common authority—even kings bow to him

• What does he control? What do they?

The Church & The Church & SocietySociety• Medieval society was extremely

ignorant; Church is sole source of intellectual activity– Literacy & responsibility of clergy

– Interpretations very simple & very literal

• Your primary concern--salvation for your soul (domain of the Church)– Thus, what is the Medieval world

view?

• Importance of symbology– Divine Right of Kings (Charlemagne)

FeudalismFeudalism• Social/political/economic system based

on the exchange of loyalties for service-based (feuds) or land-based fees (fiefs)

• Conditions that allowed for this system: – Lack of security

– New military technology

– Expense of political survival

The Feudal The Feudal ArrangementArrangement• Interested Parties:

– Lords: has economic & political power, but needs service

– Vassals: one who can provide service but needs political & economic support

• Vassals swear allegiance and promise labor/military service to lords in exchange for land and protection

Feudalism ExpandsFeudalism Expands• Over time, feudal arrangements linked

less to land, more to political power– Kings to other Kings

– Kings to Clergy

– Kings to Popes

– Popes to Kings

Feudalism & Feudalism & ManorialismManorialism• Feudalism establishes

loyalty for warring classes

• Warring classes depend on landed estates for economic resources

• Estates worked by peasants, who are vulnerable to attack

• Peasants enter feudal arrangement & become serfs

Coercive Labor: SerfdomCoercive Labor: Serfdom• Peasants & Serfs: laboring

classes--about 85% of Medieval society– Peasants: poor landowners or

work the lord’s land in exchange for rent--can move if they wish

– Serfs: tied to the lord’s land because they owe a debt (economic or political)

• By 1000, almost 90% of European peasants are enserfed

Women in Feudal Women in Feudal SocietySociety• Feudal society = military

society—male-dominated• Critical social responsibilities:

– financial management of estates

– benefactors of religious establishments, charity

• Code of Chivalry—women idolized

• Ecclesiastical views: feminine = temptation, evil

Conclusions:Conclusions:• Medieval society was dominated by a

rigid hierarchy carried over from Roman & Germanic traditions

• Everyone owed allegiance to someone--those with the most fiefs had the greatest power

• The Church dominated everything--cross doctrinal lines and you lose your wealth, your relationships, and (theoretically) your soul

Focus ActivityFocus Activity• In a paragraph or two,

explain the effects of feudalism on European development—what are its impacts on the economy, on social life, on political development, and on interaction with other societies?

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