Life+in+the+Middle+Ages

=** __Life in the Middle Ages__ **=

[|Feudalism], [|social hierarchy] , and the [|manor system] all played an important role in daily life in the [|Middle Ages] **Feudalism** Feudalism is a system of promises that governs the relationships between lords and [|vassals]. It also governed how the knights and nobles dealt with each other as well. Feudalism spread to Southern Italy, Spain, Britain and Germany, and then into eastern and western Europe with the help of the [|Frankish knights']and [|William the Conquerer's] invasions and conquering. In the feudal system, nobles were allowed to grant fiefs to the knights, who, in turn, gave the nobles their loyalty and protection.

**Social Hierarchy** Social hierarchy is the division of society between rank, wealth, and power. There are five different ranks;[| Kings] and [|Queen's], [|nobles] , [|knights] , [|peasants] and serfs. The duties of the Lord is to send help to his vassals if attacked, be fair, and not cheating or punishing. The knights must defend the land and promise to support the noble in battle and other matters. The serfs was not allowed to leave land and they had to farm, make

clothing, cook and gather firewood. The king and queens duty is to rule all the land.Peasants were not allowed to own land but many worked on land owned by nobles or knights. The nobles were unable to depend on the king for protection, they would have to defend their land themselves. In order to do so, they would need knights. These knights had a code of honor called [|chivalry]. The effect was that the nobles would start to gain power and the king would slowly decline. Social Hierarchy helped create and run the manor system.

**Manor System** The Manor System is the organizing principal of rural economy. It dominated the economy and towns and trade grew. Towns began to increase in size because of trade, surplus, the use of the [|plough] and transportation. Manors are large estates, and many of them were[| interdependent]. This means that they produce their own foods, goods, and services. They depend on themselves for almost everything. This causes a [|surplus], which allows people to [|specialize] in other occupations. Peasants were usually the ones to do all of the farming, in the fall they would work in large fields to harvest crops like wheat and barley, and they would grow fruits and vegetables in small gardens next to their houses. After the wheat and barley was harvested, it would be taken to the mill and ground into flour and other products. This flower would then be sent to the chefs and they would use it too cook. This is an example of specialization in farming, mill working, and cooking.

**Japanese Feudalism VS. European Feudalism** Two feudal societies that we will compare are Europe and Japan. The basis for feudalism in Europe and Japan is land and a way to provide protection to the people. During this period, land was which more than money. Although they were very similar, there cultures were very different. The art was very different. European art usual foused on Religion and Jesus and was "flat", however, as can be seen to the right, Japanese feudal art focused on Nature and showed depth. The two differed on religion as well. In Europe, Christianity was the main religion while Japan had several religions. So, the type of religion did not impact the use of a feudal government.

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 * Page Created by Alex and Anna, 2009**
 * A peasant's life in the Middle Ages by Clarissa, June 2011**