The document discusses the feudal system that emerged in medieval Europe following the fall of the Roman Empire. It introduces key terms like lord, vassal, knight, serf, and freeman. Feudalism developed as powerful lords and nobles provided protection to people in exchange for loyalty and labor. Peasants pledged themselves to nobles in order to receive military defense of their lands. This led to a strict social hierarchy with the king at the top, followed by nobles, knights, and peasants at the bottom. Overall, the document provides an overview of the political and social structure of feudalism.

1. 1
Medieval Europe
Feudal Society
Structure

2. 2
OBJECTIVES
Our lesson today is on the
political structure of the
feudal system and
the importance of the
relationship between
Lords and vassals during the
Middle Ages

3. 3
Key Questions
 Why was feudalism necessary?
 Why was feudalism like the mafia?
 What is a Knight?
 Who was protected by feudalism
 What did the feudal social structure look
like?

4. 4
WHY WAS FEUDALISM
NECESSARY?

5. The Rise of Feudalism
 The breakdown of the Roman Empire led to
increased crime as there was no ‘police’ force.
 Farmers wanted protection from these criminals.
 Powerful people (Lords) were able to control land,
build castles, protect people, and gain allies
 These powerful people allowed people to farm the
land they controlled in return for protection from
criminals.

6. 6

7. What were Nobles and Vassals
 Powerful nobles (Lords, Barons, Earls) controlled a
larger area of land and protected the locals by
employing vassals and armies of knights and soldiers.
7
 A vassal - a noble who was
given land in return for supporting
a Lord.
 Vassals controlled a part of the
Lord’s land with a smaller force of
soldiers who would serve as part
of the Lord’s army if needed.
All nobles were vassals of the King.

8. 8
What is a Knight?
 Almost all nobles were knights
 Training began at age 7, as a
page, under the guidance of
the Lady of the Manor
 Became squires at age 15
and were trained by other
knights
 Those deemed worthy were
“dubbed” knights
I dub thee Sir
Jayden of the
Broken Thumb

9. 9
Feudal Peasants
 There were two groups of peasant workers
on a feudal manor:
 Serfs (Peasants) – workers bound to the
land by contract with the nobles. They had no
freedom - they where the noble’s property.
 Freemen- skilled workers who paid rent and
could leave the manor whenever they
wished. They usually had a skill needed by
others on the manor.

10. 10
Constructing the
Pyramid of Power

11. 11
Constructing the
Pyramid of Power
SERFS AND FREEMEN

12. 12
Constructing the
Pyramid of Power
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN

13. 13
Constructing the
Pyramid of Power
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR PROTECTION
POWERFUL
NOBLES
SERFS AND FREEMEN
LAND AND
PROTECTION
LOYALTY AND
MILITARY SERVICE

14. 14
Constructing the
Pyramid of Power
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR PROTECTION
POWERFUL
NOBLES
KING
SERFS AND FREEMEN
LAND AND
PROTECTION
LANDLOYALTY AND
SERVICE
LOYALTY AND
MILITARY SERVICE

15. 15
REVIEW
1) Everyone owed loyalty to the ________
2) _______ were really the most powerful. They
got _______ from the king.
3) Lesser nobles (knights) gave _________
_________ in return for land
4) _______ were bound to the land. They
worked in return for ____________.
5) __________ were skilled workers. They paid
rent to the ______ and were free to move if
they wanted to.
Let’s see how much you remember!

16. 16
Check Your Answers
1) Everyone owed loyalty to the king.
2) Nobles were really the most powerful. They
got land from the king.
3) Lesser nobles (knights) gave military service in
return for land.
4) Serfs were bound to the land. They worked in
return for protection.
5) Freemen were skilled workers. They paid rent
to the nobles and were free to move if they
wanted to.

17. 17
THE END
HISTORY
NOTES