The middle ages went through many important stages. As demonstrated in this timeline, there were several key dates that led to its development and eventually, its decline.
Definitions Feudalism: political alliances of nobility Serf: peasants bound to the land Manorialism: The rural structure that included peasants that worked the land Vassal: A person under the protection of another who is feudal lord and to whom he has vowed homage and fealty; a feudal tenant Knight: a mounted warrior Fealty: Loyalty to another Scutage: A tax levied upon a tenant of a knight's estate in place of military service Charter: A written instrument or contract executed in due form Manorial: Something having to do with a unit in the Middle Ages consisting of an estate under a lord. Harrow: A cultivating implement set with spikes used primarily for pulverizing the soil Manor: A unit in the Middle Ages consisting of an estate under a lord enjoying a variety of rights over land and tenants, including the right to hold court Fief: Something over which one has rights or exercises control