Charity and Feudalism in the Middle Ages

Religious Institutions

Main providers of charity in the Middle Ages.

Monasteries

Centers for charitable activities, offering food and shelter.

Convents

Religious communities providing care to the needy.

Education

Monasteries ran schools for the underprivileged.

Healthcare

Monasteries operated hospitals for the sick and poor.

Spiritual Guidance

Clergy provided comfort to the sick and elderly.

Promotion of Charity

Church taught giving to the poor as a duty.

Vast Resources

Church's wealth funded extensive charitable activities.

Feudalism

Decentralized governance with local lords in power.

Land Ownership

Lords granted fiefs to vassals for loyalty.

Social Hierarchy

Rigid structure: kings, lords, vassals, peasants.

Military Obligations

Vassals provided protection to their lords.

Economic System

Manorial system: peasants worked land for lords.

Castles

Built for protection, symbolizing feudal power.

Knights

Warrior class emerging from feudalism.

Spiritual Authority

Church as intermediary between God and people.

Wealth and Power

Church gained wealth through tithes and donations.

Education and Literacy

Monasteries preserved knowledge and educated society.

Social Services

Church cared for sick, poor, and orphans.

Moral Guidance

Church shaped societal norms and ethical standards.

Political Influence

Church mediated disputes and influenced rulers' decisions.