What was feudalism?

After the Norman Conquest (when William won at Hastings) he needed to keep control.

He did this in a few different ways.

1) He made most of his Norman lords big landowners in England.

They would be his eyes and ears to stop any trouble.

2) He built castles. Motte and Bailey castles to show his power and protect his men from an unfriendly English people.

(a map of all the castles built under Williams reign)

3) He started the feudal system. This was a way of keeping peoples loyalty and organising society.

HOW DID IT WORK?

Well. the King would promise the lords land in return for their oath of loyalty to him, men in times of war and a percentage of the wealth from the land.

Not bad for the lords and the King. you see, the lords were given so much land that they couldn't use it all. So they offered some of it to the Knights. As long as the Knights gave them loyalty, men to send to the King in time of war and a percentage of the wealth produced of the land, they were all doing well.

Below the Knights were the peasants. they made up the vast majority of the people. They had to give lots to their lords and received very little in return. But more about the peasants in a minute.

The cartoon shows you the system a little more clearly.

See how most people were at the bottom.

This type of system is called a hierarchy.

So as long as you work for the lord free of charge for 4 days a week, don't leave the village without his permission, ask, to see if it is alright to get married and accept his word as binding in all matters you were fine!