Feudalism Basics
What is the name of the system where land was exchanged for loyalty and service?
Feudalism
The belief that kings ruled because God gave them the power to do so.
divine right (of kings)
What was the majority of the medieval population? (hint: what social class)
Peasants/serfs
What were the four main social classes in medieval Europe’s feudal system?
Kings, nobles, knights, and peasants (including serfs).
upper class, upper middle class, middle class, lower class
What were the plots of land given to vassals called?
Fiefs
A castle was not only a home for kings or nobles, it was ___________
a defense, a protection, the center of the community (any one of these)
What was the primary occupation of peasants?
Farming/Maintain the land
They were at the very top of the medieval society pyramid.
kings and popes
What was the duty of a vassal to their lord?
To provide military service and loyalty
How did trade impact medieval towns?
They led to the growth of towns and the rise of a merchant class.
What is the name of the estate that peasants worked on?
Manor
What is the term for the laborers bound to the land?
Serfs
What was the role of the lord in the feudal system?
Managed the land and protected their vassals
The system where life was organized around large, self-sufficient estates.
manor system
They learned to sing, dance, and ride horses.
pages
They had to follow a code of honor called ______. (2 word answer)
knights, chivalry
He brought feudalism to England from France.
William the Conqueror
Demense was the lord's ________
domain
A tax that the lord could demand when needed.
tallage