Feudalism in Europe

The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe

Study Guide

Fall of Rome

• After the collapse of the Roman Empire, many were left without a strong government to oversee them.

• This left the people unprotected from outside attacks, without resources like clean water and food surpluses, and no system of law.

Multiple Choice

Which of these was a result of the fall of Rome?

• the decline of Christianity

• the lack of a central government

• an end to attacks by barbarians

• the growth of a strong economy

The governing system of Feudalism

Feudalism is a system of government based on the promises and exchanging of loyalty between classes.

Terms to know

• Fief - grants of land.

• Lord- Responsible for granting the fiefs to knights in exchange for protection.

• Knight- A soldier who protected the manor in exchange for land, food, and safety. (Became a Vassal once an oath was made)

• Peasant - A worker on the Manor

• Serf - An unfree worker tied tot he land which they worked.

• Manor - The entire property under the rule of the Lord or King/Queen. This included farm land, housing, shops, a castle or manor house, mill, blacksmith, and church.

What role you played in the Feudal Pyramid was determined by birth. There really was NO social mobility during the Middle Ages. If you were born a peasant, you stayed a peasant. Many children of knights became knights. Lords and Ladies maintained their position and passed it on to their heirs.

Multiple Choice

Social class in the Middle Ages was determined mainly by

• wealth

• birth

• education

• religion

The peasants gained a place to live, farmland to grow their own food, and protection from enemies, however, they also had to pay taxes to the lord.

• This could be money (fees) for using the grain mill.

• Fees when a woman was married.

• Tallage taxes.

• "Head money" fees for how many people were living in the home.

Multiple Select

Which of the following (select ALL that apply) were social classes during the Middle Ages?

• King

• Knights

• Priests

• Lords

• Peasants