The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe

​The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe

By Josefine Pettit

The Fall of Rome and Its Impact

• The Roman Empire fell in 476 CE

• Results:

  • No central government

  • No unified defense system

  • Increased danger and difficulty

  • Rise of local kingdoms

• This chaos led to the development of feudalism

What is Feudalism?

• A system of promises and protection

• Social hierarchy:

  • Monarchs at the top

  • Lords and nobles

  • Knights

  • Peasants and serfs at the bottom

• Based on land ownership and loyalty

• Everyone had specific roles and duties

Poll

Is this Feudal System fair?

• Yes

• No

• Lived in manors or castles

• Main responsibilities:

  • Protected their land and people

  • Managed the manor

  • Served as judges

  • Provided knights for war

• Had many servants and workers

• Enjoyed hunting and feasting.

​Lords

• At the top of feudal society were the monarchs, or kings and queens.

• ​To keep order and to provide protection for their vassals (people).

Monarchs

Monarchs and Lords

• age (age 7-14)

  • Learned manners

  • Basic skills

• Squire (age 14-21)

  • Trained with weapons

  • Served a knight

• Knight

  • Fought for their lord

  • Followed code of chivalry

​

​Knights: The Medieval Warriors

Life of Medieval Peasants

• Lived in simple one-room houses

• Worked the lord's land

• Grew their own food

• Paid taxes to their lord

• Had a few possessions

• Rarely left their manor

• Get to have a fief (common land)

Labelling

We have actually seen different feudalism in several movies, including Shrek. Try your best at labeling the feudal system on this pyramid.

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

Monarchs

Lords

Peasents

Knights

Match

Match the following jobs that match the description

• Page (age 7-14)

• Squire (age 14-21)

• Knight

• Learned manners

• Basic skills

• Trained with weapons

• Served a knight

Fought for their lord

• • Learned manners

  • Basic skills

• • Trained with weapons

  • Served a knight

• Fought for their lord

Castle Life and Defense

Features of a medieval castle:

• Strong stone walls

• Moat for protection

• Towers for a lookout

• Great hall for meetings

• Living quarters

• Kitchens and storerooms

Draw

Design your own castle and label its defensive features.

• Worked in fields

• Cared for family

• Made clothing

• Prepared food

​Peasant women

• Managed households

• Raised children

• Could own land

• Supervised servants

Noble women

The Role of Women in Feudal Society

• Brought order to medieval Europe

• Created a social structure

• Influenced modern government

• Lasted until about 1450 CE

• Effects still seen in:

  • Class systems

  • Land ownership

  • Military service

​

Legacy of Feudalism

Audio Response

How well did feudalism establish order in Europe in the Middle Ages? (L.4)

Open Audio Recorder