A peasant lives with their family on the land of a noble lord in medieval times. They work long hard hours but much of the food they grow goes to support the noble and his family. Their house is small with a dirt floor and the parents are tired and weak. The local lords have become powerful as kings were unable to defend against invaders. In return for protection, peasants pledge their service and loyalty to the lord, establishing a system of feudalism and manorialism where lords own the land and peasants work it in exchange for protection and survival.

1. Feudalism & Manorialism

2. You are a peasant in the Middle Ages, living on
the land of a noble. Although you and your family
work very hard for many hours of the day, much
of the food you grow goes to the noble and his
family. Your house is very small, and it has a dirt
floor. Your parents are tired and weak, and you
wish you could do something to improve your
lives.
Is there any way you could change your life?
Starter: The Pursuit of Happyness

4. Strong, local leaders
• Kings were powerless against these invaders.
• The invaders were swift and the kings could not mount a
defense before the invaders had come and gone.
• As a result, the responsibility for protection fell to local
lords. These lords promised to protect the people and their
homes in their area.
• In return the people pledged their service and loyalty to
this lord.
• This system of loyalty and protection became known as
feudalism.

5. Manorialism – Economic System
• Nobles and non-nobles (peasants) take part in this system
• Powerful lords built castles where they could safely live, along with
their staff. These massive plots of land became known as manors.
• A manor was self-sufficient, meaning that everything needed to
survive could be located on the property.
• Produce/goods/work were exchanged by peasants for protection on
the manor
• Lords own the land and the peasants

7. Feudalism – Political/Military System
• Nobles (lords/gentlemen) only to take part in this system
• Land (fief) is given in exchange for swearing homage and promising
military service to the King/lord
• Land is wealth and power

8. King – provides money,
recruits army on demand,
grants land to his lords.
Lords and Vassels –
protect the king and
manage the territory.
Kinghts – protect
both the King
and lords.
Peasants and
Serfs –work
the land.