Medieval Culture in the Middle Ages: Feudalism and Manorialism

Overview

• Medieval culture in Europe was based on two main systems:
  • Feudalism
  • Manorialism
• Both systems were fundamentally land-based and dependent on land management.

Feudalism

• Structure:

  • Hierarchical system with distinct social strata.
  • Top Level: King or Queen who owned all the land.
  • Fiefs: Parcels of land granted by the royals to manage their kingdom.
  • Vassals: Recipients of fiefs, responsible for the land.
    • Aristocracy: Nobles, lords, barons, and counts.
    • Knights: Vassals who provided military service.

• Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Vassals oversaw the land and people (could be both servants and lords).
  • Serfs and Peasants: The lowest tier, including farmers, bakers, and blacksmiths.

• The Feudal Contract:

  • A ceremonial agreement where vassals pledged loyalty to lords.
  • Lords, in turn, promised protection to the vassals and residents.

Manorialism

• Structure:

  • Political and economic system centered around large agricultural estates (manors).
  • Manor Ownership:
    • Held by wealthy aristocracy, defining their political power.
    • Title: "Lord of the Manor" allowed participation in royal court.
  • Rights & Duties:
    • Lords collected taxes from peasants and serfs.
    • Workers paid dues through labor and trade of produce.
    • Specific plots allocated for peasant use; villages for worker residence.

• Religious Influence:

  • Manors sometimes allocated land for monasteries for monks to write, study, and pray.

Key Differences between Feudalism and Manorialism

• Feudalism:

  • A political and legal system forming alliances between lords and vassals.
  • Land granted in return for military service and loyalty.

• Manorialism:

  • An agricultural system forming the economic foundation.
  • Peasants worked the land for sustenance and economic output in return for land use.