The Y1K Problem 3/4/13
9 /10 Century- all of Europe
Lordship- a system where weaker but free person seeks protection form a stronger one, receives
protection in return for service and loyalty
- becomes increasingly central to culture/ society in 9/10 C
- Used instead of “feudalism”
- Lord- stronger person giving protection
- Vassal- weaker person who gives service
- Agreement between lord and vassal is represented in a ritual in which vassal does homage
(“manning”, becomes somebody’s man, act of kneeling down and holding up hands like a prayer,
lord puts hands around vassal’s) and swears fealty (faith, swearing faith to loyalty)
o Sealed with kiss on the mouth th
o Position of prayer becomes normalized around 12 C (do homage to God), standard
during medieval period was raising both arms in air
- Reciprocity- vassal and lord both owe each other something individually
o Counsel and aid- owe each other advice and actual physical/ military help
o Benefice- lord gives to vassal in return for service
Often land but could also be money or jewelry, but more often land with time
Acts as a reward as well as an assurance of loyalty- if vassal doesn’t do service,
lord can take back the benefice
10 C (year 1000) change in Lordship
- Nobles in W Europe (Frankland) exercising powers previously held by kings- mini- monarchs
o Originally in response to Viking invasions, as kings become weaker lords supply justice
o Breakdown of rule/ law- Over time power exercised less through law and administration
as personal, willful actions of lords and their men
- Lordship not institutional, based on personal relationships and loyalty
- Symbol and weapons of power are castles and horses
Motte and Bailey Castles- best fortification for protection against Vikings
- Biggest archaeological changes are that castles being built everywhere
- Motte- big artificial hill of dirt w/ the keep (fortified structure) at the top
- Bailey- area enclosed by stockade, whatever inside the fence
- Wooden castles, not stone until 11 Ch
Protect castle by putting soldiers on horses (on foot not effective against Vikings)
- Stirrup- loop hanging down on saddle to put foot into, can fight more effectively and stay on
horse
- Horses can carry more weight= better weapons and better armor (chainmail, sword, spear,
shield)
Knight- social class of men trained to be mounted warriors
- Need for wealth + training: Have to be wealthy b/c equipment is expensive
- Vast social divide between knight and peasant
o Must be trained from childhood to be a knight
o No mobility between classes and peasants, unlikely to become knights
- When Viking invasions stop- knights fight each other for local lords to expand wealth, low- level
warfare
o Knights start to plunder peasants- bad lordship o Growth in lordly power (decentralization of power)
Serfs- unfree (can’t be boug
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