Middle Ages
- Feudalism: a political, military and economic system based on land-holding and protective alliances
- In other words: the system is based on personal loyalty to people who can help you
- Rich dude (LORD): "i own land, i need people to help me work it and defend it"
- Tough dude (VASSALS): "there are a lot of us, we can help the rich dudes hold on to their land"
The Feudal Pyramid
- Peasants- landless, powerless, money-less and just working for their lord
- knights- mounted warriors who received FIEFS for defending their lord's land
- the most powerful VASSALS
- (NOBLES AND BISHOPS)
- KING
Manors: the Lord's estate house
- The Lord's manor house
- a church
- some workshops
- 15-30 families
- all on a few square miles
- Good news! its a self-sufficient community
- Bad news... its harsh if your a peasant
Peasants are poor AND pay high taxes
- tax on grain
- tax on marriage
- church tax (tithe = 10% f=of their income)
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