Friday, May 16, 2014

Middle ages

  • Feudalism - a political, military and economic system based in land holding and protective alliances
  • Based on personal loyalty of people who can help you

The Feudal Pyramid
King
Vassals (nobles and bishops)
Knights (rewarded with fiefs for defending land)
Peasants (mostly serfs)

Mind your manors
  • Manor - lords estate
    • A church
    • Some workshop
    • 15 - 30 families
    • All in a few square miles
  • Good news: self-sufficient
  • Bad news: harsh if you're a peasant

How harsh is it?

  • Peasants are poor and pay high taxes
    • Tax on grain
    • Tax on marriage
    • Church tax
  • They live in crowed cottages
  • Live with animals and insects
  • Eat very simply 

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