Feudalism
- Feudalism
- The political and economical system of Europe from the ninth to fifteenth century, based on the holding of all land in fief (see #2) and the resulting
relationship of lord to vassal characterized by homage, legal and military service of tenants and forfeiture.
- Fief
- Land given away in return for services
- Lord
- a military leader and land owner who reigns over vassals
- Vassal
- One who serves a lord in a military capacity
- Serf
- A worker (free) usually under a lord. Not a slave
- Homage
- A promise to follow a lord loyally; the contract between a lord and vassal
- Perfidy
- Going back on your vow of homage
- Manorialism
- A more agricultural and less military feudal system
- Tenure
- How long one has land
- Chivalry
- The system of knighthood and privelages
- Knight
- A mounted warrior, heavily armored, with a lance
- Squire
- Works for a knight, trains to become one
- Page
- Works for a squire, trains to become one
- Tournament
- Competitions of knights in medieval times (jousting, swordfighting)
- Ward
- Someone who is adopted and cared for legally by a lord or someone eles in power
- Subinfeudation
- The feudal system throughout many levels of power (vassals of vassals of vassals of Lords)