The Fall of Rome and Its Impact

• The Roman Empire fell in 476 CE

• Results:

  • No central government

  • No unified defense system

  • Increased danger and difficulty

  • Rise of local kingdoms

• This chaos led to the development of feudalism

What is Feudalism?

• A system of promises and protection

• Social hierarchy:

  • Monarchs at the top

  • Lords and nobles

  • Knights

  • Peasants and serfs at the bottom

• Based on land ownership and loyalty

• Everyone had specific roles and duties

• Lived in manors or castles

• Main responsibilities:

  • Protected their land and people

  • Managed the manor

  • Served as judges

  • Provided knights for war

• Had many servants and workers

• Enjoyed hunting and feasting.

​Lords

• At the top of feudal society were the monarchs, or kings and queens.

• ​To keep order and to provide protection for their vassals (people).

Monarchs

Monarchs and Lords

• age (age 7-14)

  • Learned manners

  • Basic skills

• Squire (age 14-21)

  • Trained with weapons

  • Served a knight

• Knight

  • Fought for their lord

  • Followed code of chivalry

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​Knights: The Medieval Warriors

Life of Medieval Peasants

• Lived in simple one-room houses

• Worked the lord's land

• Grew their own food

• Paid taxes to their lord

• Had a few possessions

• Rarely left their manor

• Get to have a fief (common land)

Castle Life and Defense

Features of a medieval castle:

• Strong stone walls

• Moat for protection

• Towers for a lookout

• Great hall for meetings

• Living quarters

• Kitchens and storerooms

• Worked in fields

• Cared for family

• Made clothing

• Prepared food

​Peasant women

• Managed households

• Raised children

• Could own land

• Supervised servants

Noble women

The Role of Women in Feudal Society

• Brought order to medieval Europe

• Created a social structure

• Influenced modern government

• Lasted until about 1450 CE

• Effects still seen in:

  • Class systems

  • Land ownership

  • Military service

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Legacy of Feudalism