Medieval Society
What is a social hierarchy?
A system that ranks groups of people according to their status and power.
What does urbanization mean?
The growth of towns and cities and/or movement of people into urban areas.
What was feudalism?
A medieval system based on relationships involving land, loyalty, protection and service.
What was a tithe?
A payment/contribution to the Church, traditionally one-tenth of a person's produce or income.
What major disease outbreak devastated medieval Europe?
The Black Death/Bubonic Plague.
Which group was generally at the bottom of medieval society?
Peasants/serfs.
What happened to food production when farming improved?
Food production increased.
What did a lord often provide in exchange for loyalty or service?
Land and/or protection.
Was the medieval Church only involved in religion?
No. It also had major social and political influence.
Name one symptom associated with the Black Death.
Swollen lymph nodes/buboes, fever, chills, weakness, etc.
What new social class developed as towns and trade grew?
The bourgeoisie.
How could increased food production affect population?
More food could support more people, allowing the population to grow.
What were peasants expected to provide?
Labour and agricultural production.
Give one motivation for the Crusades.
Religious motivations, gaining/control of holy lands, political power, wealth, etc.
Give one major effect disease could have on medieval society.
Population decline, labour shortages, economic/social changes, etc.
What phenomenon helped lead to the development of the bourgeoisie?
The growth of towns, cities, trade and commerce.
Name one reason the medieval population could decline.
Disease, famine, war, etc.
Why did different groups participate in the feudal system?
Each group received certain benefits while also having responsibilities.
What were the Crusades?
A series of religiously motivated military campaigns during the Middle Ages.
When analyzing a historical document, should you only identify what you see?
No. You should explain what it shows and use evidence to support your answer.
Explain why the growth of towns changed medieval society.
Towns created new opportunities for merchants and craftspeople, contributing to the growth of the bourgeoisie and changing the traditional social hierarchy.
Explain the connection between agricultural improvements → population growth → urbanization.
Better farming increased food production, which supported population growth. As the population increased, towns and cities expanded.
Explain how feudalism created relationships between different social groups.
People exchanged land, labour, loyalty, military service and protection, making the groups dependent on one another.
Name and explain one important long-term consequence of the Crusades.
Answers may include: increased trade/contact between regions, exchange of knowledge and goods, or long-lasting religious/political tensions.
A historical image shows abandoned farms, empty homes and very few workers after a disease outbreak. What conclusion could you make using evidence from the image?
The disease caused major population loss, which resulted in labour shortages and abandoned farms/homes.