AFTER CHARLEMAGNE · 814–1300
THE CASTLE
Lords, Knights, Peasants — and the Walls Between Them
ONLY THE YOUNG · PART THREE
West FranciaCharles the Bald
Middle KingdomLothair
East FranciaLouis the German
CHARLEMAGNE’S EMPIRE
Charlemagne died in 814. His three grandsons split the empire in the Treaty of Verdun, 843.
Raiders struck from every side. People needed protection close to home — not from a distant king.
KNIGHTMy lord, raiders burned the next valley. What do you need from me?
LORDKneel and swear loyalty. Fight for me forty days a year, and this land — your fief — is yours.
KNIGHTI swear it. I am your vassal.
PEASANTAnd us? We can’t fight Vikings with pitchforks!
LORDWork my fields and share your harvest, and my castle will shelter you.
Land for loyalty. Protection for work. That deal was feudalism.
THE FEUDAL PYRAMID
DOWN ↓land and protection
UP ↑loyalty, service, and crops
Fief — land given for service
Vassal — one who swears loyalty
Fealty — the oath of loyalty
The first castles: a wooden tower on a dirt hill — the motte — and a fenced yard — the bailey.
Fast to build… but wood burns.
So lords rebuilt in stone: thick walls, towers, and a strong central keep.
FIELD TRIP
Conwy Castle
North Wales
Built 1283–1289 for King Edward I of England, right after he conquered Wales.
A castle wasn’t only a fort. It was how a king held the land he had taken.
FIELD TRIP · CONWY CASTLE, NORTH WALES
Every part had a job: keep enemies out, and keep the lord in control.
A castle was a fortress, a home, a courthouse, and a warning — all at once.
Fortress
Home
Courthouse
Warning
WHERE THE MIDDLE AGES LIVED
ONLY THE YOUNG · PART THREE
UP NEXT
THE KNIGHT’S CODE
The castle was the knight’s home. Now learn the code he lived by.
Continue ▶ONLY THE YOUNG · PART THREE
THE CASTLE
Feudalism, castles, and a field trip to Conwy