Lesson 2: Feudalism, Manors, and Towns (The Middle Ages)
🛡️ Feudalism Governs Knights and Nobles
After the fall of Rome, life in Europe was dangerous. There were many attacks from invaders like Vikings. People needed protection, so they created a system called feudalism.
🐴 Knights and Land
In feudalism, land was more important than money. Kings gave land to powerful men called lords. These lords gave smaller pieces of land to knights. In return, the knights promised to fight in wars and protect the land.
Knights trained from the time they were boys. First they were pages, then squires, and finally knights. Knights followed a special code called chivalry. They had to be brave, loyal, and protect the weak.
Story: One knight, Sir William Marshal, started with nothing. But because he was brave and smart in battle, he became one of the most famous knights in England. Even kings trusted him!
🤝 A Lord’s and Vassal’s Duties
A lord had to protect his land and the people on it. He gave food, land, and help during hard times. A vassal (a person who received land) had to promise loyalty, help in battle, and give advice when the lord asked.
Everyone in this system had a job to do. It helped people stay safe and work together.
🌍 Feudalism Spreads
Feudalism began in France, but soon it spread to other parts of Europe.
⚔️ William the Conqueror
In 1066, a French noble named William said he was the true king of England. He crossed the sea with his army and won the Battle of Hastings. People started calling him William the Conqueror.
To keep power in England, William gave land to his knights. This helped feudalism grow in England.
Before the Battle of Hastings, William’s enemies spread a rumor: “William is dead!”
His soldiers began to worry.
So William did something bold. He took off his helmet in front of his army and shouted:
“Look at me! I am alive, and with God’s help, I will win!”
His men cheered, their fear was gone—and they won the battle.
That smart moment helped make William the king of England.
🎨 Fun Fact: A long cloth called the Bayeux Tapestry tells the story of William’s battle using pictures. It’s over 70 meters (230 feet) long—like a comic book from the Middle Ages!
🏡 The Manor System
Most people in the Middle Ages lived on a manor. A manor was a large piece of land with farms, homes, animals, and a church. It belonged to a lord.
The lord gave land to peasants and serfs. In return, they farmed the land and gave food to the lord. Serfs could not leave the manor without permission.
Life was hard, but manors had almost everything people needed—food, tools, and protection.
Story: A boy named Jakob worked on a manor. He helped take care of sheep. He dreamed of being a knight, but his family were serfs. Still, he listened to stories about brave knights and hoped one day his children could have a better life.
🏘️ Towns and Trade Grow
Over time, towns started to grow again. People began to trade goods like cloth, salt, and metal tools. Markets became busy places full of noise, colors, and smells.
Some towns became free towns, where people could rule themselves. This was the beginning of city life in Europe again!
Fun Fact: Many towns had guilds—groups of people who made the same thing, like shoemakers or blacksmiths. A young person could become an apprentice, learn the trade, and one day open their own shop.