1. By:
Martin Igogo
FEUDALISM

2. What was Feudalism in the Middle Ages?
 Feudalism was based on the exchange of land ( Fief ) for
military service, called the Feudal Levy.
 King William the Conqueror used the concept of
feudalism to reward his Norman supporters for their help
in the conquest of England.
 Feudalism, demanded that everyone owed allegiance to
the King and their immediate superior.
 Everyone was expected to pay for the land by providing
the following services:
 Work days - completing any chores required
 Providing trained soldiers to fight for the King
 Providing equipment - clothes and weapons - for the soldiers
"Middle Ages Feudalism." Middle Ages. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.middle-
ages.org.uk/middle-ages-feudalism.htm>.

3. When was Feudalism established
in England?
 Feudalism in England was established by
William the Conqueror and the Normans
following the defeat of the English Anglo
Saxons at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
 The system and structure of feudalism
had been well established in Europe for
some time and the Normans imposed
feudalism in England.
"Feudalism." Middle Ages. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.middle-
ages.org.uk/feudalism.htm>.

4. Feudalism Pyramid - Fealty and
Homage
 During the Middle Ages a portion of land called a fief would be
granted by the King.
 This reward would be granted to him by his lord in exchange for
his services.
 The recipient of the fief would be one of his vassals. The fief, or
land, was usually granted following a Commendation Ceremony.
 The commendation ceremony was designed to create a lasting
bond between a vassal and his lord.
 Fealty and homage were a key element of feudalism.
"Feudalism Pyramid." Middle Ages. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/feudalism-pyramid.htm>.

5. Feudalism - The Pyramid of
Power
 The pyramid of power which was the Feudal system ran to a strict
'pecking' order - during the Medieval period of the Middle Ages
everyone knew their place.
 The order of rank and precedence in the Medieval Feudal System was
as follows:
 The Pope
 The King
 Nobles
 Knights / Vassals
 Freemen
 Yeomen
 Servants
 Peasants / Serfs / Villeins
"Feudalism Pyramid." Middle Ages. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/feudalism-
pyramid.htm>.

6. The Feudalism Pyramid and the
Pope
 Feudalism was based on the belief that the land belonged
to God - but that the Kings, who ruled by Divine
Right, managed the land and used it as they wished.
 However, under the Feudalism pyramid the King was
answerable to the Pope.
 The Pope, as God's vicar on Earth, had the right to
intervene and impose sanctions on an unjust King.
 Under the feudalism pyramid the Pope had the power to
pronounce judgement against a King, depose a
King, forfeit his Kingdom, put another King in his place or
excommunicate a King.
 The power and pronouncements of the Pope played a
major part in the History of England.
 The Pope declared the Norman Invasion as a Holy Crusade
and declared his support of William the Conqueror against
the claim of King Harold.
"Feudalism Pyramid." Middle Ages. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/feudalism-pyramid.htm>.

7. The Decline of Feudalism
 The decline of feudalism came when rich nobles
were allowed to pay for soldiers rather than to
fight themselves.
 Life changed and Mercenaries were hired from
all over Europe.
 The Mercenaries had few allegiances, except to
money, and these paid fighting men were feared
throughout Europe.
 The threat of the Mercenaries led on to the
employment of professional, trained soldiers -
the Standing Armies and ultimately the end of
Middle Ages feudalism in England.
"Decline of Feudalism." Middle Ages. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/decline-of-feudalism.htm>.

8. Reasons for the Decline of
Feudalism
 The reasons for the decline of Feudalism during the
Medieval period of the Middle Ages included:
 The Crusades and travel during the Middle Ages
opened new trade options to England
 England started to move from land based economy
to a money based economy
 The Black Death - this reduced the population of
England by one third. Labour became a valuable
commodity
 The Peasants Revolt - Peasants realised their worth
and demanded changes. Charters were granted but
ignored by nobles
 More trade saw the growth of more towns

9. cont
 Peasants moved away from the country into towns
they were eventually allowed to buy their freedom
 Land was rented and the rights of lords over labour
decreased
 The Feudal Levy was unpopular and as time went
by Nobles preferred to pay the King rather than to
fight and raise troops
 Armed men were paid a wage and Medieval warfare
was financed by taxes and loans
 Nobles became weaker - the Kings took back their
lands and power
 A centralised government was established
"Decline of Feudalism." Middle Ages. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. <http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/decline-of-
feudalism.htm>.