The feudal system was really important in shaping life during the Middle Ages, which lasted from the 9th to the 15th century. It provided a way for people to organize themselves in terms of social, economic, and political matters.
Hierarchy: This means there were different levels of importance. At the top were kings, then nobles (who were like lords), followed by knights, and finally peasants (also called serfs). This created strict social classes.
Land Ownership: Land was the main way to have wealth and power. Nobles received land from the king, and in return, they had to provide military service.
Vassalage: This was a key idea where lords gave land (called fiefs) to vassals (which were the knights) in exchange for loyalty and protection. It created a system where people had to depend on one another.
Agriculture: More than 90% of people worked in farming. The serfs worked the land and had to give part of what they grew to their lords.
Self-Sufficiency: Manorial estates usually produced everything they needed. This meant there was not much trading between different areas, creating local economies with limited contact.
Rights and Obligations: Peasants had very few rights, while lords had a lot of privileges. This gap between them affected how people interacted and held power.
Military Service: Knights, who were around 10,000 during the busiest times, served their lords to help defend their lands and keep things stable.
Church Role: The Catholic Church was very powerful, affecting both everyday life and politics. By the height of the Middle Ages, the Church owned about 40% of the land in Europe.
Crusades and Plague: Events like the Crusades (which happened from 1096 to 1291) and the Black Death (from 1347 to 1351), which caused the deaths of about 25% to 60% of Europe’s population, changed the feudal system. They led to big changes in society and the economy.
In conclusion, the feudal system was the backbone of life during the Middle Ages. It shaped the economy, social classes, and culture in significant ways.
The feudal system was really important in shaping life during the Middle Ages, which lasted from the 9th to the 15th century. It provided a way for people to organize themselves in terms of social, economic, and political matters.
Hierarchy: This means there were different levels of importance. At the top were kings, then nobles (who were like lords), followed by knights, and finally peasants (also called serfs). This created strict social classes.
Land Ownership: Land was the main way to have wealth and power. Nobles received land from the king, and in return, they had to provide military service.
Vassalage: This was a key idea where lords gave land (called fiefs) to vassals (which were the knights) in exchange for loyalty and protection. It created a system where people had to depend on one another.
Agriculture: More than 90% of people worked in farming. The serfs worked the land and had to give part of what they grew to their lords.
Self-Sufficiency: Manorial estates usually produced everything they needed. This meant there was not much trading between different areas, creating local economies with limited contact.
Rights and Obligations: Peasants had very few rights, while lords had a lot of privileges. This gap between them affected how people interacted and held power.
Military Service: Knights, who were around 10,000 during the busiest times, served their lords to help defend their lands and keep things stable.
Church Role: The Catholic Church was very powerful, affecting both everyday life and politics. By the height of the Middle Ages, the Church owned about 40% of the land in Europe.
Crusades and Plague: Events like the Crusades (which happened from 1096 to 1291) and the Black Death (from 1347 to 1351), which caused the deaths of about 25% to 60% of Europe’s population, changed the feudal system. They led to big changes in society and the economy.
In conclusion, the feudal system was the backbone of life during the Middle Ages. It shaped the economy, social classes, and culture in significant ways.