MIDDLE AGES FEUDAL SYSTEM GOVERNMENT The government of Europe during the Middle Ages was based on the feudal system. This meant small communities were formed around a local lord and a manor. The lord owned the land and everything in it. Peasants were kept safe in return for their service to the lord. The lord provided the king with soldiers and taxes. MANOR The manor was at the center of Middle Ages life. It was run by a local lord. He lived in a large house or castle. People gathered there during celebrations or for protection when attacked. A small village was built around the castle, including a local church. Farms spread out from there and were worked by the peasants. MIDDLE AGES HIERARCHY King *Top leader in the land *Could not control all of the land by himself, so it was divided up among the Barons *In return, Barons pledged their loyalty and soldiers to the king *When the king died, his firstborn son inherited the throne *If one family stayed in power for a long time, this was known as a dynasty *Kings believed they were given their right to rule by God, known as “divine right” Bishop *Top church leader in the kingdom *Managed an area called a diocese *The Catholic Church was very powerful in most parts of Medieval Europe, making the Bishop powerful *The Church received a tithe of 10 percent from all people, making some Bishops very rich Baron *Ruled large areas of land called fiefs *Reported directly to the king *Very powerful *Divided their land among lords who ran individual manors *Maintained an army at the king’s service *If they did not have an army, they would pay the king a tax instead, called shield money Lord or *Ran the local manors *Also knights; could be called into battle at any moment by their Baron Knight *They owned everything on their land- peasants, crops, and village *Both lords and barons pledged homage and fealty to their kings *Held absolute power over the fief or manor, including holding court and deciding punishments for crimes Peasants *The majority of the people in the Middle Ages were peasants (about 90%) *Had a rough life or Serfs *Some peasants were considered free and could own their own businesses like carpenters, bakers, and blacksmiths *Other peasants were indentured and more like slaves, and owned nothing and were pledged to their local lord. *Worked long days, six days a week, and often barely had enough food to live off *Most peasants died before they were thirty years old because of the tough life they lived *Peasants had to pay taxes, keeping them poor ©Teaching to the Middle Name_________________________________________ THE FEUDAL SYSTEM TRUE OR FALSE?: Place a check in the correct column. STATEMENT T F 1. Middle Ages government was based on the Feudal System. 2. The lord owned the land and everything in it. 3. The lord was the most powerful person in the Feudal System. 4. The king had barons because he was unable to control all the land. 5. A dynasty was one family in power for a long time. 6. The Protestant Church was powerful in Europe during this time. 7. Barons ruled large areas of land called fiefs. 8. Lords ran manors. 9. About 50% of people in the Middle Ages were peasants. 10. All peasants were free, and could make a living of their own. 11. Peasants worked very hard and had a rough life. 12. Peasants were either free or indentured. 13. Peasants did not have to pay taxes. MULTIPLE CHOICE: Choose the best answer. 14. Which of the following is NOT true of the King in the feudal system? A. He was the top leader in the land B. The King’s firstborn inherited the throne C. Kings lived in the manor D. Kings believed they had divine right 15. Which of the following is NOT true of the Bishop in the feudal system? A. Required a tithe of 20% from all people B. They managed an area called a diocese C. Some were very rich D. Top church leader in the kingdom 16. What was a fief? A. A ruler of the land. B. Large land areas. C. Person who reported to the lord. D. The person who protected the lord. 17. Which person ran local manors? A. Fiefs B. Barons C. Lords D. Kings 18. If a crime occurred in a manor, who decided the punishment? A. King B. Lord C. Baron D. Jury 19. What was the average life expectancy for a peasant? A. 15 B. 20 C. 25 D. 30 20. What did peasants receive in return for working the land? A. Money B. Protection C. Taxes D. Food to the Middle©Teaching.