2. Society in the early middle ages | Social Pyramid
The KING
The higher nobility
and the higher clergy
Unprivileged classes
Peasants
Serfs
Craftsmen
The lower nobility
and the lower clergy
3. Society in the early middle ages | The King
The KING
Feudal Europe was fragmented into numerous kingdoms
The Kings considered that their power came from God.
The King governed with the help of the Curia Regis
(the Pope, Bishops and Nobles)
4. Society in the early middle ages | The higher nobility and clergy
The higher nobility
and the higher clergy
The higher nobility composed of the direct vassals of the
King, such as dukes, counts, marquises and barons. They
lived in castles, where the population took refuge.
The higher clergy included the Pope, bishops, and the
abbots and abbesses of the great monasteries. They
enjoyed sizable fiefdoms and revenues.
5. Society in the early middle ages | The lower nobility and clergy
The lower nobility
and the lower clergy
The lower nobility was composed of lesser nobles, such
as knights or people who could own a horse and
weapons of war.
The lower clergy included priest and the monks and nuns
of the monasteries
6. Society in the early middle ages | Unprivileged classes
Unprivileged classes
The commoners work and carried out the necessary tasks
to maintain and feed the other groups.
They are the only group that work and pay taxes.
They can established relationships of servitude with the
lords. The lord gave protection and permission to work on
the demesne, in return they gave to the lord a portion of
his harvest and pay signorial rights.
7. Society in the early middle ages | Relations
SERVITUDE
VASSALAGE
8. Society in the early middle ages | Relations
Each group gave protection to all
people who work its lands and pay
taxes for it.
The commoners (peasants,
craftsmen…) work the lands and
pay taxes to keep the kingdom
