The Feudal System

1
The Feudal System
2
Byproduct of Invasions

• Because of Invasions from Vikings, communities
  want to keep to themselves.
• Causes localized authority
• Local Nobility becomes the authority in
  communities.
• Creates a localized social structure the Feudal
  system

3
Basic structure of Feudal System

• There is no reliable money to have a system of
  payment for service.
• So Kings had to establish a system of payment to
  ensure their lands were protected.
• The RESULT- The Feudal System

4
From the Top Down

• -Kings Gave Lords or Nobles pieces of
• Land In exchange for military service.
• These pieces of land were called fiefs
• A percentage of the food harvested or the
• animals raised on the land would be given
• to the King as a tribute or payment.

Kings
5
The Church sneaks in

• Most Kings or Nobles needed skills to manage all
  of the land under their authority.
• Church officials were the most educated and would
  often be advisors to the ones in power within the
  Feudal System.
• Plus the Church was the largest landholder in
  Europe.

6
Nobles

• Nobles ally themselves with Kings in exchange for
  land.
• They in Turn distribute land to Knights in order
  to protect their land that was given to
• them.
• Nobles arrange their lands into systems called
  Manors.

7
Knights

• Received Land from Nobles in exchange for
  military service.
• Knights then distribute land to peasants to farm
  land, raise animals, and perform other tasks
  around their estate.
• Then a percentage of the products would be kicked
  up to the Noble that they serve, the knight would
  keep a percentage, and the peasant would keep the
  final portion.

8
Peasants

• They work for the Knight or sometimes directly
  for the Noble.
• They would work within a Manor System.
• They would work jobs and keep a percentage of
  goods produced by way of their labors. Then
  these would be traded between other Peasants.

9
The Feudal Pyramid