Notes from Class from Powerpoint

Feudalism is a term used by historians to describe the governmental system and the relationships between landowners and warriors. Warriors (knights) would pledge his allegiance to a lord, who would in turn give the warrior land. The lord would grant a fief (property) to the warrior, who would then become the lord's servant (vassal), this was known as "feudal compact." The vassal must fight for the lord when he needs it and attend his court once a month. The knight is required to pay homage to his lord. Men were apprenticed to older knights before they could become a full knight. When a knight died, his fief wold revert to his son, thought his lord would be protector of that son if he was underage,  or if it was a daughter. Some clergy (priests) were also knights. Barons were lord of large territories who usually paid homage to a king. Often a baron's army could outnumber a king's army, keeping a check on the king's power.

Medieval society was divided into three "estates": the clergy, the nobility, and the common people. Usually, the common people farmed on large plantation know as "manors" which were owned by a lord or lady of the nobility (or a member of the clergy). Iron plows & water powered grinding mills helped with agricultural production, but the yield was still minuscule by today's standards. They used the three field system- each season switched what fields were plowed. The lord oversaw major agricultural issues but delegated everyday overseeing to his stewards or bailiffs. Most peasants were serfs, they were bound to the land and to their lords for labor service a few days each week.

Most medieval towns were surrounded by fortified towns. Residences also sprang up outside the walls in the suburbs. Towns were dominated by a main church and a central marketplace. Buildings for the craft guilds and the wealthiest families would also be in the center of the town. Townspeople were free, but they still had a hierarchy: merchants at the top, skilled craftsman and artisans, then unskilled laborers and apprentices.