Feudalism
Next on the social pyramid were the merchants and craftspeople, right above the peasants and serfs. Craftspeople and merchants were mostly serfs who escaped from their manor. They were in middle class. They lived in cities and towns and often are removed from this social class pyramid.
The next class on the social pyramid was knights. Knights were born wealthy and were very well trained. Training to become a knight began at age eight by being a knight’s servant. Knights also would study many things like singing, chess, jousting, and lots of other things. Knights would practice jousting tournaments which could become dangerous. Knights were always addressed as “sir”. They were very much respected. Knights were always mounted on a horse; they were responsible for defending a manor. Nobles would send their knights to help the monarch often. Knights were vassals to their lords and ladies. The nobles would reward knights with land or a fief. Knights had a code of chivalry they had to follow. This code included loyalty, being brave, kind, and having courtesy towards women. Although not all knights followed this.
Above knights on the social pyramid were lords and ladies otherwise known as the nobles. They were vassals of the monarch they were very close to the monarch. The monarch often gave more land to the most important lords. They were always loyal to the king.
The next class on the social pyramid was knights. Knights were born wealthy and were very well trained. Training to become a knight began at age eight by being a knight’s servant. Knights also would study many things like singing, chess, jousting, and lots of other things. Knights would practice jousting tournaments which could become dangerous. Knights were always addressed as “sir”. They were very much respected. Knights were always mounted on a horse; they were responsible for defending a manor. Nobles would send their knights to help the monarch often. Knights were vassals to their lords and ladies. The nobles would reward knights with land or a fief. Knights had a code of chivalry they had to follow. This code included loyalty, being brave, kind, and having courtesy towards women. Although not all knights followed this.
Above knights on the social pyramid were lords and ladies otherwise known as the nobles. They were vassals of the monarch they were very close to the monarch. The monarch often gave more land to the most important lords. They were always loyal to the king.
The highest on the social hierarchy was the monarchs, also known as kings and queens. Some rulers claimed they had divine rights, meaning God had chosen them to be in power. So this made it harder for people to rise up against them because if they went against them they went against God (religion was very important link to religion page). The monarch had complete control, and governed the kingdom. Everyone had to respect and stay loyal to the rulers. A problem was starting in the middle ages, the monarch and popes were always competing for power (link to religion).Most rulers became in power by birth. Bishops would advise the monarchs very often. Putting religious people or clergy is hard to do on this pyramid because usually the clergy and other citizens and rulers would fight for who’s the highest on the social hierarchy. Most of the time the Popes had more power than the monarch.
This system of feudalism had brought order and structure to England, it made people feel safe. It showed that Europe was making advancements. Although it wasn't perfect, as you can imagine life would be hard as a peasant, and it would feel unfair.
This system of feudalism had brought order and structure to England, it made people feel safe. It showed that Europe was making advancements. Although it wasn't perfect, as you can imagine life would be hard as a peasant, and it would feel unfair.