Feudalism and the Manor System

After the fall of Charlemagne, the empire began to fall apart. The was increasing threats from Vikings and waring kingdoms. Feudalism was set up as a way to protect people. Kings of lords would own the land but vassals held land; in return the lords or kings got their vassal's loyalty. Lords would protect their vassals  and protect their lands. If a vassal died then their child would be protected by the lord. A lord asked of his vassal's advice before going off to war. Vassals were knights, men who revived honor and land in exchange for serving the lord as a soldier. They were responsible  for raising and leading an army, paid taxes in crops, and appeared in court when summoned. Feudalism was a way of organizing a government in the Middle Ages.

The Manor system was a way of organizing the economy during the Middle Ages. It consisted of lords and their manors. The lords were usually vassals for a king or more powerful lord. A lord ruled over his manor, collected taxes, was the judge, and oversaw all work done in his fief. Manors were far away each other so that meant they had to be self sufficient. They made their own food, clothings, and other materials. Noblewomen also played an important role in the manor system. Noblewomen were expected to manage the household, medical needs, and supervise servants. When the lord was away she served as the lord of the manor.

Not everyone everyone was a lord or lady; in fact, most of the population was peasants. Peasants were often tied to a certain manor, that was when they were known as serfs. Serfs were poor farmers who had to farm the lands in the manor. They were only given a small strip of land for themselves and still had to pay taxes from it. Serfs were slaves but they still were not free. They could not leave the manor or marry without the lord's permission. Men, women, and children all had to work. However, they could buy their freedom or escape from the manor. The peasants had such a harsh and short life that it surely influence their hope in a magnificent heaven. All to often children would die so they wanted to believe that everything was going to be alright. They might have had a connection to Jesus because he was peasant like them.