Feudalism and manorialism

Let’s get the
structures of
feudal Europe
clear in our minds.

Feudalism is
first and

foremost a
military

structure.

It’s purpose
was to protect
Western Europe

from Viking
invasions.

Now! Get out
there and fight

guy.

It was built on a pyramid
of power. At the top is
the king. At the bottom
the many serfs and
peasants.

Let’s take a closer look
at the pyramid.

There are only

a few of these

people at the

top. They are

1. rich,
powerful, and

in control.

There are many people at the
bottom. They are poor,
powerless, and controlled
by others.

Let’s zoom in a little
closer.

Power flows down
from the top.

2.
goods and service flow
up from the bottom

There! That nails it.

Everybody gets
something and
everybody gives

something.

A product A service

What the king is What the king is
giving: getting

Land Military
service
What the barron is
giving: What the Barron is
getting
Land
Military
What the serf is service
giving:
What the serf is
Food getting
Labor
Military
soldiering
Protection

The product and service
“stuff” means we are
creating an economy.

What is there of
value to use in

creating an
economy?

Land

to make the fief The basic unit to the
productive it operates feudal economy is a
chunk of land. It’s
as a manor.
called a fief.

The Barron or
vessel is the
lease-holder

of the land

It’s his as He needs to
long as he organize the
meets his use of the land
obligations to to pay for his
the king and is
horses,
loyal. knights, and
fees to the
All wealth in
feudal Europe king.

comes from Manors were the
land and organized

agriculture. community farms
of the day.

maBtnehoelrob. wigWishhootuhgseeet?’s

Look closely. Tell
me what you see.

Upper left is the Lord’s
house. He’s the one that

owns the land.

There
are fields, gardens,
orchards, barns, mills,
and huts. All that’s
needed to grow food.

There’s a church
and a tithe barn where the

church’s share of the
crops goes.

On the left is
a black smith’s forge.
He made everything they
used that was created

from iron.

The manor was a:
farm,

community,
village and
the Lord’s fortune.

With time and good
fortune, the Lord
replaced his manor

house with a big
strong castle.

The castle is a home for the
lord and a stone fort for
the manor.

What we’ve learned
about the Manorial

systems so far!

what would The agricultural
peasants go for economy of the manor

that idea? supports the feudal
military system. That
means, it pays for the

expense of feudal
armies.

Protection

The manor worked by the
serfs pays for the army of
the Lord that protects the

serfs from attack by
outsiders.

That’s how medieval manors
and medieval feudalism are

connected.