Feudalism

What were the problems with the knight's oath of fealty?

-oaths didn't apply everywhere -you could have multiple lords so if two of your lords got into battle there would be commitment problems

Knights:(3rd in the Feudal System)

-skilled workers who fought on horseback -Payment= Land -took an oath of fealty(loyalty) -had to pay their Lord's ransom if he was captured

Nobles

2nd in the Feudal system

What did the Feudal System begin as?

A mutual means of defense in the chaos of invasions from Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims

Peasants

Freemen who were paid for their labors and could travel freely.

What essentially to Feudalism do?

It governed social relations in Medieval Europe

Fiefs

Kings gave these to Nobles in exchange for service.

Peasants and Serfs

Last in the Feudal system

Serfs

Peasants who were legally tied to the land that they worked and couldn't leave without their lords approval

Why was Feudalism developed?

People wanted protection; -peasants wanted protection from invaders -Kings were not very powerful on their own and needed the help of nobles to protect the people and the city.

What was the significance of Feudalism

Provided the social, economic, and political structures for European society for about 400 years.

Kings

Top of the Feudal system

Was is possible to be a lord and a vassal?

Yes.

Vassal

Anyone who accepted land from a king.

Lord

Anyone who gave land.