Lesson 2 - The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe

​The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe

Mr. McNeil
Week of 4/22/2024

Essential Question

How well did feudalism establish order in Europe in the Middle Ages?

Objectives
In the course of reading this lesson and participating in the classroom activity, students will

• describe the accomplishments of Charlemagne and explain how his cooperation with the pope benefited both the emperor and the pope.

• identify the key problems faced by Europeans that the development of feudalism addressed.

• differentiate between the roles and responsibilities of four of the main social classes in medieval European society.

• evaluate the extent to which feudalism brought security, economic stability, prosperity, and opportunity to Europe in the Middle Ages.

Multiple Choice

Feudalism only had an effect on Europe and no place else?

• True

• False

Lesson 2 Vocabulary

8. Process

9. Reign

10. Serf

11. Survive

1. Charlemagne

2. Chivalry

3. Christianity

4. Feudalism

5. Fief

6. Function

7. Maintain

After the Fall of Rome

• When Rome fell to invading barbarians in 476 C.E., Europe was left with no central government or system of defense.  

• The most powerful rulers were those who controlled the most land and had the greatest warriors.

• One powerful group during this time was the Franks (from whom modern-day France takes its name). 

Multiple Choice

Who were the most powerful groups of people after the Fall of Rome?

• The Turks

• The French

• The Franks

• The Romans

Who is Charlemagne?

• Name also means "Charles the Great"

• Charlemagne ruled for over 40 years from the year 768 C.E. to 814 C.E.

• Charlemagne worked with Pope Leo III and the two were able to establish the Roman Catholic Church

• After Charlemagne's death in 814 C.E., his empire quickly began to fall apart.

​

--> needed to have a good deal of wealth, since a full suit of armor and a horse cost a small fortune

Monarchs

Nobles

​Vassals & Knights

​Peasants & Serfs

​-->ruled the land and made all important decisions

​-->could not leave the lord's land that they worked on without permission

​--> received land from Kings/Queens in exchange for loyalty and service

​System
of
Feudalism

Monarchs during Feudal Times --- Page 21 in the Textbook

• Monarchs included Kings & Queens as well as feudal lords

• They were expected to keep order and to provide protection for their vassals of the land

• Monarchs had to work hard to maintain control of their kingdoms, and even a few of them had enough wealth to keep their own armies

• The power/control that monarchs had seemed to grow during the Middle Ages and they were viewed as being strong individuals

Multiple Choice

Another name for Kings and Queens was?

• Franks

• Dictator

• Monarch

• Barbarian

Lords and Ladies during Feudal Times --- Page 22-23 in the Textbook

• Most lords & ladies lived on manors (some lords had 1 manor while others had several)

• Lords acted as judges in manor courts and had the power to give people fines and punish individuals who broke the law

• Only men were apart of the feudal relationship between lords and vassals

• Noblewomen (Ladies) were responsible for raising their own children and most times the children of other noble families

Multiple Choice

Most lords and ladies lived in what type of houses?

• Castles

• Manors

• Townhomes

• Cabins

Multiple Choice

Lords acted as ______ in manor courts and had the power to give people fines and punish individuals who broke the law.

• Monarchs

• Royalty

• Judges

• Serfs

Knights during Feudal Times --- Page 24 in the Textbook

• The 3 stages of becoming a Knight were Page (Stage 1), Squire (Stage 2), & Warrior/Knight/Soldier (Stage 3)

• Knights followed a code of behavior which was called chivalry

• Knights were expected to be loyal to the church and their lord while protecting the helpless

• A knight's life consisted of jousts and tournaments where knights would fight while wearing heavy suits of armor (armor was called chain mail)

Open Ended

Using information from the text describe the three basic stages for a boy to become a knight.

Peasants/Serfs during Feudal Times --- Page 26-27 in the Textbook

• Peasants were classified as being either free or unfree

• Free peasants could rent land to farm while paying rent to lords; Unfree peasants would farm the lord's fields and could not leave the lord's manor

• Peasants were responsible for raising crops and tending to livestock but every manor also had carpenters, shoemakers, metalworkers and other skilled workers

• Peasant women would not only work in the fields but were also responsible for caring for their children, their own homes and their own livestock.

Multiple Select

Peasants were classified ....

• Knights in training

• Free

• Monarchs in training

• Unfree

Open Ended

Using the text please describe a typical day in the life of a peasant.

Multiple Select

What groups threatened Western Europe?

• Muslims

• Spaniards

• Magyars

• Vikings

Open Ended

Based off the answers to the last question ... why did each of 3 groups threaten Western Europe?

Feudalism Project

You will now continue to work on your coat of arms project as well as your story. Remember this project is due this Friday April 26, 2024