World History: 9. Medieval Christendom, Lessons 3–5

In the early Middle Ages, kings and emperors were too weak to protect their people from the impact of Magyar, Muslim, and Viking invasions.

European feudalism was a system of rule in which powerful lords divided their lands among lesser lords, or vassals.

In exchange for the land, a vassal pledged his service and loyalty to the more powerful lord.

In a feudal system, a powerful lord granted a fief, or estate, to a vassal.

As a result, many boys and young men from noble families trained to become knights, or warriors on mounted horseback.

Knights were expected to live by a code of conduct called chivalry, which require them to be brave, loyal, and generous.

The heart of the medieval economy was the manor, or the agricultural estate of a medieval lord.

Many of these peasants were serfs, or peasants who were legally bound to the lord's land.

In order to use horses as draft animals, peasants developed a harness that helped horses pull heavier loads without injury.

Each year, only one field was planted. The other was left fallow, or unplanted.

A guild is a group of workers practicing the same craft, who have joined together to protect their economic interests.

Although trade between towns had never completely ceased, it had declined.

The mendicants, or beggars, owned no property. Mendicants survived by begging for food and drink.

Francis's pure and simple life of devotion attracted many followers. In 1209, he established the Franciscan order.

Gradually, schools were set up to provide further education. These grew into universities—schools, or groups of schools, that train scholars at the highest levels.

Aquinas believed in natural law. Unlike human-made law, natural law does not change over time or from one society to another.

A growing confidence in human reason is one of the main features of the High Middle Ages. During this time, conditions in Europe improved dramatically. Towns grew, trade increased, and populations boomed.