Feudalism & Manor
What was feudalism?
the system in medieval Europe where land was exchanged for loyalty, service, and protection
Put the social classes in order from highest to lowest
King, clergy, nobles (lords), knights/vassals, peasants/serfs.
What was the main responsibility of a knight?
to fight for their lord and protect the land
What was the clergy?
the church leaders and officials such as priests, bishops, and monk
What was the Black Death?
a deadly pandemic (bubonic plague) that killed a large portion of Europe’s population.
What was a manor?
a large agricultural estate including the lord’s house, fields, and peasant homes.
What was a vassal?
Someone who swore loyalty to a lord in exchange for land or protection.
What was chivalry?
The code of conduct for knights emphasizing bravery, honor, and protecting the weak
Who was the Pope?
The Pope was head of the Roman Catholic Church and often held spiritual authority that could rival or influence kings’ political power.
When did the Black Death spread through Europe?
1300s around 1347–1351.
What was a serf?
a peasant legally bound to the lord’s land who could not leave without permission.
What did the king give to nobles?
Why were castles built with so many defensive features?
to defend against attacks, sieges, and to protect inhabitants and territory.
What were the Crusades? What was the Holy Land?
The Crusades were religious wars by European Christians to capture the Holy Land, which referred to Jerusalem and the surrounding areas sacred to Christians.
How did the Black Death spread?
along trade routes, carried by fleas on rats aboard ships and caravans.
Why was the manor important to the medieval economy?
It produced food and goods, was largely self-sufficient, and supported the local economy and social order.
What did peasants and serfs do? What did peasants and serfs receive in return for their work?
They farmed, maintained the manor, and provided labor; they received protection, housing, and permission to work plots for subsistence.
Compare knights and vassals.
Knights — trained military warriors who served lords and defended castles
Vassals — individuals who swore loyalty to a lord in exchange for land or protection
Who was Pope Urban II, and why was he important?
Pope Urban II called for the First Crusade in 1095, initiating the Crusading movement
Which places were hit first by the Black Death?
port cities and trading centers
What did the king give to nobles? What did nobles/lords give in return? What did peasants and serfs do and receive in return?
Kings gave land/fiefs to nobles; nobles provided military service, loyalty, and governance; peasants and serfs worked the land and received protection, housing, and a share of produce
Compare knights and nobles. How were they similar and different?
both part of the warrior-aristocracy, held status and
differences — nobles held political power and managed estates, while knights focused on military service and followed codes like chivalry
Explain why castles had so many defensive features. Connect to the role of knights
castles’ defenses protected lords’ holdings and people from raids and sieges. Knights defended these structures as part of their military role, while vassals (whether knights or nobles) were bound by feudal ties to provide defense and service to their lord
How did the Catholic Church convince people to join the Crusades?
by offering spiritual rewards (forgiveness of sins/salvation), using persuasive sermons and promises of wealth, land, or adventure.
Why is the Black Death considered a turning point in history? How did the Black Death help lead Europe toward the Renaissance?
it caused population decline and labor shortages, which led to higher wages, weakening of feudal obligations, social and economic changes, and contributed to shifts that encouraged urban growth, new ideas, and conditions that helped lead to the Renaissance.