Feudalism

1. Feudalism

2. How did it start? • The Carolingians (like the Germanic tribes) gave out land to nobles in exchange for military service • Both passed from generation to generation • If your dad had the land and was a warrior, then you would be too.

3. Why did it last after the fall of the Carolingians? • Once the dynasty fell, local rulers weren’t strong enough to protect themselves • They needed to rely on local nobles for defense… • Some of these guys were just as powerful as the men they were protecting • Nobles had to provide soldiers (and pay for their equipment) • Nobles demanded more land to help support their expenses

4. Some Key Vocab • Knight: mounted warriors (they had horses) who were loyal to a lord and helped him protect his land • Fief: a piece of land that was granted to someone • Lord: the person who was giving the land • Vassal: the person who was receiving the land • Feudalism:political system of owning and distributing land (fiefs) to vassals in return for a pledge of military service

5. What’s in it for each of them? • The vassal gets land, protection from enemy lords, and in times of hardship, support from his lord • The lord gets military support, someone to grow food for his family, and in some cases rent money for the land that was granted

6. Was Feudalism the same throughout Europe? • No….. • It is considered a type of social system • Each party is getting something out of the relationship • In some cases the vassal worked in the house, or did other services • In some cases the lord provided food and shelter • There wasn’t enough land for it to always be land grants • But this tradeoff system was very popular and lords went out and sought more land • Because more land meant more ________________

7. How did Feudalism expand through Europe? • Because lords were out trying to get more land, they spread feudalism to England, Wales, and Ireland