Feudal Contract

1. Feudal Contract • The granting and receiving of fiefs was confirmed by a contract. An oath of homage and fealty sealed it. This was a very important ceremony during the Middle Ages. • Contracts lasted until death. • Upon the death of the vassal, the oath was formally renewed with the vassals heir. It was a deeply personal and binding contract that few dared to break. • The basic element of the feudal contract was an exchange of rights over land, given by the lord, for military and other honorable services, given by the vassal.

2. Feudal Contract Directions: With a partner, please write a feudal contract that displays the mutual obligations which existed during the middle ages. You may choose to create a contract between any lord and his vassal. Flip a coin or play to decide who will be the lord and who will be the vassal. You must include the obligations and responsibilities of both parties and include accurate information based on the reading you did.

3. An example follows: I, Lord Levi, do hereby agree to:   - give 10 acres of my land to Charles Wycliffe to farm   - provide a one room cottage with two windows and dirt floors   - provide protection in case of an attack I, Charles Wycliffe, do hereby agree to:   - give Lord Levi 40% of my crops   - pay taxes including         - 12 eggs per month         - 10 yards of cloth per year         - 2 pence per month   - provide four days per month of labor    - provide 40 days per year of military service I do hereby agree to the above terms. Lord Levi 2-8-908    Charles Wycliffe 2-8-908