Fuedalism

The Need For Order

The Parts Of The Hierarchy: The Peasants

After the western side of the Roman Empire fell, many different groups/tribes fought to obtain power. There was no order and there was lots of battles and fighting going on. People needed a system to help organize the country. This became the start of the Middle Ages as well as feudalism and the Hierarchy.

The peasants were the largest social group during the medieval times. They were needed to work the land and grow crops. They were also responsible to tend the livestock, blacksmith, cook, etc. Peasants had a tough life. They had to pay taxes. Also when they needed to grind grain they had to pay and give some to the lord. The houses were often dark and smokey with no chimney. They didn't have much food and herbs were often used. Herbs were used to improve the smell and taste of food. They hid the taste of meats that are not fresh anymore. Salt was used to preserve meats.

Peasants Farming

Relationships In The Hierarchy

Lots of relationships like the Feudal Relationship were used in the hierarchy. After all, the system worked because everybody got something out of it. The monarch gave land to the vassals and in return he gets their service and the army of knights they train. Then the vassals might give some of this land to the peasants/serfs. The peasants get land to work on and protection from the vassals while the vassal gets most of the crops that the serfs grow and their service.

The Parts Of The Hierarchy: The Monarch

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This diagram is from the website: hierarchystructure.com

The Parts Of The Hierarchy: The Lords and Ladies

The king ruled the kingdom and gave land to his loyal vassals for their service and an army.

The lords and ladies protected the land and the people who worked it. They lived in manors and have many jobs.

The monarch was the ruler of his kingdom. He kept order in the land. Without him the kingdom would probably fall into chaos. He had most of the power and got this power from being a heir or the divine right of kings ( the right to rule from God). He gave land to his vassals (called lords and ladies) and in return he gets service and an army of knights from them. This is called a feudal relationship. The monarch lived in large castles.

The peasants gave a share of their crops for the land and protection. Peasants are hard-working.

The lords and ladies lived in the manor, a nice house surrounded by walls and large gardens. There is also outside buildings like stables. The lords are responsible for supplying the king with an army of knights and grant service to the king. Also they had to manage/defend their land and the people working in it. The ladies raise and train their children and often other children from other noble families. Also they had to manage the household(s). Without them there would be no one to protect the serfs and supply the king with an army. Their job is very crucial.

The Manor

The Lord And Noblewoman

The King

The Parts Of The Hierarchy: The Knights

There is three stages to becoming a knight. The first stage is to spend time with the ladies of the castle. They learned how to play the harp, dance, sing, compose music, etc. At this stage they are called a page. Then on the second stage they become squires and they spend their time with their lord/ knight. They clean their lord's armor, sword, shield, etc. Also they wait their lord. In the final stage they become warriors. They trained and even went to battles to aid their lord. Knights followed a code of behavior called the chivalry and serve the king. This code states that they must be loyal to their lord and the Church. Also they must be fair and just and protect the helpless. Knights are necessary to fight for and protect the king.

Medieval Knights

FEUDALISM AND THE HIERARCHY

by : Emma Bi