Early Feudal Society in France

Manorialism
- Manorialism was a key feature of early feudal society in France. It involved the relationship between the lord of the manor and the peasants who lived and worked on the land.
- The lord owned the land and provided protection to the peasants in exchange for their labor and a share of the produce.
- Peasants worked on the lord's land, as well as their own small plots, and paid taxes in the form of a portion of their crops or goods produced.
- This system was characterized by a lack of social mobility, with peasants being tied to the land and having limited opportunities for advancement.

Three Orders of Medieval Society
- Another important feature of early feudal society in France was the concept of the Three Orders, which divided society into three distinct groups: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners.
- The clergy were responsible for spiritual matters and held significant power and influence in society.
- The nobility were the ruling class, holding land and titles granted by the king in exchange for military service.
- The commoners, or peasants, made up the majority of the population and were responsible for working the land and providing food and goods for the upper classes.
- This hierarchy was reinforced by the belief that each order had a specific role to play in society, with the clergy praying, the nobility fighting, and the commoners working.