Feudalism and Medieval Europe: Key Concepts

Key Aspects of Feudalism

Characteristics of the Feudal System

Evident from the characteristics of the feudal system:

d) The institution of vassalage and its links.

Main Function in Defense

Its main function in defense was the feudal system.

d) The nobility.

The Investiture Controversy

Pope and the Investiture Dispute

b) Gregory VIII

Linguistically Homogeneous Groups

e) Germans

The Carolingian Empire and Border Marks

b) A border territory which was defended.

Relationship with the Church: Seeking New Realms

d) The evangelization of Germans.

Under Vassalage Relations

a) The feudal lord committed to giving protection.

Elements and Characteristics of Feudal Villages

b) Portion of the land given to their subjects by the lord.

First Germanic Kingdom to Convert to Christianity

c) Free

Main Agricultural Products

e) All previous

Emperor Excommunicated by Pope Gregory VII

b) Henry IV

Founder of Monasticism

c) Saint Benedict

Urban Rebirth's Intimate Relation

c) The towns

Feudal Lords and Belligerence

b) Tournament

Language of Intellectuals and Teachers

b) Latin

Clergy and Noble Titles

Clergy held 3 titles: Marquis, Duke, Count

Marriage of Clergy Members

Marriage of clergy members: Clerogamy

New Values of the Feudal Lord

• Honor
• Chivalry
• Loyalty

Ceremony for Agreement

The ceremony agreed upon: Feudal Contract

External Invasions Ravaging Europe

• Normans
• Saracens
• Hungarians

Main Source of Wealth

Main source of wealth: Land

Three Main Elements of a Fief

• Manor House
• Land for Hunting
• A place where religious services were offered

The Catholic Church After the Fall of the Roman Empire

Preserved classical culture

Pope Who Ended the Investiture Controversy

Pope who ended the quarrel: Calixtus II (ecclesiastical power) and Henry V (terrestrial power)

Desire to Occupy a Church Office

Desire to occupy a charge within the church: Simony

Understanding Feudalism

Feudalism is a system (security), social (all different), and economic (wealth) that developed in Europe between the ninth and thirteenth centuries. Land acquired great economic importance, reducing trade and monetary exchange. Agriculture was the basis of the economy, and rural life dominated urban areas.

Elements Giving Rise to Western Europe

• Romans: Law, Latin
• Germans: Vigor, Strength, Belligerence (War)
• Catholicism: Christianity spreads throughout Europe

The Investiture Controversy Explained

The Investiture Controversy was a conflict between the Church (spiritual power) and Kings (temporal power) to determine who held authority. The cause of this quarrel was the provision of benefits and ecclesiastical titles.