Feudal Europe

Question 1

Organisation of of medieval society

Answer 1

• Medieval society from 9th Century is characterized by the FEUDALISM
• King gave lands (fiefdom) to nobles in exchange of military aid and loyalty

Vassalage, stratified society
-These lands were cultivated by peasants who became serfs

King—fiefdom—>Noble—fiefdom(land)—>Peasant
King

Question 2

Vassalage

Answer 2

• Pledge of allegiance (juramento de fidelidad), The ceremony had 2 steps:
  - Homage: The vassal knelt opposite the king and promised him help
  - Investiture: king gave a fiefdom to the vassal

-Nobles also could make vassals with lesser nobles (cuaderno)

Question 3

Stratified society

Answer 3

• Society was unequal. It was based on privilege:
  - Privileged (king, nobility, clergy): owned lands, didn’t work, didn’t pay taxes, occupy positions
  - Non-Privileged (Artisans, peasants): didn’t own lands, must work, pay taxes, didn’t occupy positions

Question 4

Feudal monarchy

Answer 4

• King’s figure is sacred->Chosen by God
• Office was hereditary, but, validated by the Church in a coronation ceremony
• He owned the whole land of his kingdom and he could divide it. King could divide it into his sons and also give fiefdoms to some nobles

Power, Royal insignia and their meanings

Question 5

Powers

Answer 5

• Despite he shared government issues with nobles and clergy, they had 3 exclusive powers:
  - Direct the army in a war
  - Collect taxes
  - Supreme judge

Question 6

Royal insignia and their meanings

Answer 6

• The sword: military strength
• The crown: supreme authority and power
• The scepter: the divine origin of royal power
• The hand of justice: the authority to judge
• The gold ring: the union of God and his people through the monarch
• The cloak: service towards the Church

Question 7

Nobility

Answer 7

-Privileged group that was devoted to war. Composed by barons, counts, marquis and dukes. Their power depended on the amount of land they had and their economic wealth.

-Castle: is the symbol of their powers!!!
Military+Economic+Social power

• The most important activity: WAR or training for war.
• To prepare for it they did jousts and tournaments. Also they went hunting and practiced falconry (cetrería).
• Ladies played music and embroidered. Also directed the servants and took husbands’ responsibilities if they were absent.
• Women also prepared parties with troubadours and ate meat and drank wine or beer.

Question 8

Clergy

Answer 8

• Church: is the most important building in a village. It pointed the hours, mass, dangers… everything.
• Also celebrated and controlled the public celebrations and festivities.
• The Church is the most influential institution. They were present in government and had a lot of properties.
• They earned incomes from lands (rent) and the tithe (diezmo)=10% harvest
• Apart from that they had social roles: Teaching, Helping poor, Caring for sick

Question 9

Knights

Answer 9

-Knights are part of the nobility but come from poor noble families. They were prepared by upper nobles to fight,and live from war.