Feudalism

1. Feudalism By : Braulio Ramirez Per. 2

2. When Was Feudalism Established? • Feudalism in England was established by William the conqueror and the Normans following the defeat of the Anglo Saxons at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The system of feudalism had been established throughout Europe since 476, because of the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West. With the lack of one single power England was now divided into many groups fighting for power.

3. What Was Feudalism? • The basis of Feudalism was and exchange of land for military service. William the Conqueror used the concept of Feudalism to reward his supporters for their help in the conquest of England. Feudalism required every person involved to pledge allegiance to their superior and provide a service.

4. The Effect of Feudalism • Feudalism had a dramatic effect on England and Europe during the Middle Ages. The pyramid of power which was the Feudal systemmeant everyone. The emergence of the Medieval Feudal System of the Middle Ages affected all spheres of Medieval society: a land-based economy, the judicial system and the rights of the feudal lords under the feudal system and the lack of rights for the serfs and peasants.

5. Land Holdings During Feudalism • Prior to the Conquest, two types of land holdings were known in England:  the Celtic, and later, the Germanic or Saxon. Under Celtic custom, all land was held by the sword. There were no legal institutions to protect ownership, only the owner's ability to hold it. This changed with the Norman conquest. William the Conqueror and his successors, claimed ownership of all the land in England, and everyone else held their land either directly or indirectly from the King.

6. Hierarchy Pyramid • Feudalism in the Middle Ages resembles a pyramid, with the lowest peasants at its base and the lines of authority flowing up to the peak of the structure, the king. Under Feudalism the King was only answerable to the Pope. Feudalism was based on the exchange of land for military service. Life lived under the Medieval Feudal System, or Feudalism, demanded that everyone owed allegiance to the King and their immediate superior.

7. Feudal Justice System • Feudalism was not only a system of local government; it was also a system of local justice. The right of jurisdiction gave judicial power to the nobles and lords in cases arising in their domains and had no appeal but the King himself. Knights, barons, and dukes had their separate courts, and the king had his court above all. Cases arising on the lord's manor were tried before him and the vassals whom he called to his assistance in giving Since most wrongs could be atoned for by the payment of a fine, the conduct of justice on a large fief produced a considerable income.justice.

8. Knights During Feudalism • At the beginning of the  Middle Ages a knight was originally a person of noble birth who was trained in a range of weapons, horsemanship and chivalry. The knight would swear allegiance to his lord - the Oath of Fealty. Fealty and homage were key elements of feudalism. A knight who had been rewarded with land pledged his military services.  This was called the Feudal Levy. When wars erupted during the Middle Ages soldiers and knights were raised by the Feudal Levy when there was a 'Call to Arms'.

9. The Decline Of Feudalism • There are many factors that contributed to the decline of feudalism. • The Black Death • The Crusades • The Peasant Revolt • Nobles Became Weaker • A Centralized Government Was Established

10. Works Cited • Jan 28, 2013 <http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/feudalism.htm>. • Jan 28, 2013 <http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-history/feudalism-pyramid.htm>.