If We Take Notes One More Time...

Hello,

Today, guess what! We took notes, I know so shocking. So here they are:

Feudalism - a political, military and economic system based on land-holding and protective alliances

Rich Dude (Lord) - "I own land; I need people to help me work it and defend it"
Tough Dudes (Vassals) - "There are a lot of us, we can help the rich dudes hold on to their land"

Feudal Pyramid:
-King
-The Most Powerful Vassals (Nobles and Bishops)
-Knights: Mounted Warriors who Received Fiefs for Defending Their Lord's Land
-Peasants (Mostly Serfs): Landless, Powerless, Moneyless, Right-less, Just Working the Land for "the Man" (Their Lord)

Manor: the Lord's Estate
-The lord's manor house
-A church
-Some workshops
-15-30 families
-All on a few square miles

Good News: It's self-sufficient community
Bad News: It's harsh if you're a peasant

Peasant are poor AND pay high taxes
-Tax on grain
-Tax on marriage
-Church Tax (tithe=10% of their income)
They live in crowded colleges
Live with animals and insects