Feudalism

Life Under William the Conqueror

The Feudal System was intriduced by William the Conqueror after his victory in the Battle of Hastings, 1066. The system was also in progress in France. That is why William new about it as he invaded England with his Norman army from France. It was a great system for the King as he owned all the land and his personel property, some was given to the church and the rest was given out under strict control. The order and roles follow:

King: The King was in complete control of all the land. They possessed all the power any man could possess. The King answered to no one but God and everyone below answered to him. God gave them the privilege to rule over a country. Therefore, anything the King did it the right and best thing to do. The King also could have anything they wanted, they had servants to present him the best food in the land, the most stylish and comfortable clothes and more. His only job was to grant land to the barons and fight some battles. He had the perfect life.

Tennants-in Chief: Also known as Lords of the Manor as they leased land from the King which was known as a manor. Their main job was to serve the King. Their own system of Justice was established, minted their own money and set their own taxes. When the King granted them land they had been given by the King they had to serve on the Royal Council, pay rent and provide the King with Knights for military service when he demanded it. They also had to provide lodging and food for the King and his court when they travelled around the country. The Tennants-in Chief kept as much of their land as they wished for their own use, then divided the rest among their Knights. Tennants-in Chief were very rich.

Knights: They were given land by the Baron in return for military service when demanded by the King. The Knight also had to protect from attack, the Baron and his family and the mayor as well. The Knights were wealthy and kept as much of their land as they could and then distributed the rest to the peasants.

Peasants: Peasants were given a small amount of land by the Knights. They had to provide the Knight with free labour, food or service whenever it was demanded. They had no rights and were very poor. Peasants were not allowed to marry and had to ask their Lord’s permission before they were able to marry.

Role Characteristics:

Clothes: in the middle ages are different to what we wear now. Men wore tunics, and sometimes shorts. They also all wore ‘hose’ (tights or stockings). Women wore a nighty-like garment and did not wear knickers. They wore a long tunic which went to their ankles, and over it another garment or gown. Women held their dresses with a belt tied aroung their waist. Both sexes wore wool but the quality varied. It could be fine and expensive or cheap and coarse.
Transport:was formed by riding horses for men (if they could afford a horse), and ladies travelled in wagons covered in painted cloth. The roads they travelled on were no more than dirt tracks that turned to mud in the Winter. Although travelling by land was not vary comfortable. So whenever they could they travelled by water. It was faster, more comfortable and was much cheaper to send goods than by land. Eg. The Coastal Trade – when goods were taken from one coast of England to another.
Education: in the Middle Ages was very rare. Most people were illiterate but not all. Most Upper Class children were educated when they were page boys. The better educated priests might of educated the poor children – a little. Some towns had Grammar Schools that educated Middle Class boys, boys worked long hours and discipline was severe. Boys were beaten with rods or birch twigs. The name came about because they taught Latin Grammar. There were also Chantry Schools. Some men left money in their wills for the priest to chant prayers for their soul after their daeath. When he was not praying the priest educated local children.

Buildings: Buildings in the middle ages were very different. Through the Feudal System the King’s home was very impressive. Most King’s owned a huge amount of land and built a huge castle on it. Their castle was the biggest in the land which was made of the best materials, mainly stone and was kept in the best condition inside and out. Next was the Tennants-in Chief who were granted land by the Kings. They had nice houses like small castles which were also kept in a good condition, as they were wealthy as well. Then they shared their land to the Knights who were categorised with Tennants-in Chief as Nobles. Their homes are a descent quality, good enough for a family. Then peasants homes are on a small field where they work for the Knights. Their houses are made of either wood, straw or mud, as well as anything else they could use. The homes usually contained of beds on the floor and some form of warmth and labour equipment.
Occupation: Jobs in the middle ages were vital for the society to function. Not just farming for the peasants and giving orders and following them by Upper Class people. Professions were not only used to earn a living but to identify the peolpe who held various jobs. Many common surnames stemmed from the profession a person had during the
Medieval Ages. Surnames were not frequently used as there were many clans and castes of people. Eg. all these last names: Baker, Smith, Bower, Fletcher, Brewer, Butcher, Carpenter, Cartwright, Cook, Dyer, Farmer, Forester, Gardener, Hatter,
Herald, Hunter, Mason, Miller, Miner, Painter, Potter, Shepherd, Shoemaker and Weaver. It was very common in the Medieval Ages to refer to someone as “James the Shoemaker” or “Paul the Baker”. Thus many surnames originated into families that still exist today. Jobs were important to show people’s reputaion and part in the village.