Feudal Way Of Life

Feudalism was a political and military system. During the Middle Ages, Western Europe was a mess. Germanic tribes were in control. Government was weak. People did not follow laws. Wars were going on all the time.

Viking raiders sailed into harbors and looted villages at lightning speed! Feudalism helped bring order to Europe from the 800s to the 1400s.

Feudalism is a way to govern a large area. The king or lord gave land to vassals (rich people).

Vassals provided the army. Vassals used the land (fief), but they did not own it. Each vassal got what his land produced.

Vassals collected taxes, held court, and managed workers (peasants). Vassals sent knights to serve the lord. Kinights were warriors. Vassals gave some of their land to the knights.

Disagreements were settled in court like they are today. However, some things are not the same. We don't have "trial by combat". That's a fight between the two people who disagree. The winner of the fight was the winner of the case.

By the 1200s, life was different. Knights were no longer needed. Lords had more money, so they hired soldiers. Gunpowder and cannons were invented. Knights could not stand up against cannons. Cities had more power. People trained in government work took over the jobs of the vassals.