Feudal pyramid key terms

What is the feudal pyramid?

A social structure in medieval Europe. It shows the hierarchy of power and land ownership.

Who were the kings?

The top of the feudal pyramid. They owned all the land and granted it to nobles.

What is a lord?

A noble who managed land granted by the king. Lords could be barons or dukes.

What is a vassal?

A person who received land from a lord. Vassals promised loyalty and service.

Difference between serfs and peasants.

Serfs were tied to the land and had to work for their lord. Peasants were free but often poor.

True or false: Knights were at the top of the feudal pyramid.

False, because knights were below lords in the hierarchy.

Fill in the blank: A ____ is a piece of land owned by a lord.

manor

Who were knights?

Warriors who served lords in exchange for land. They followed a code of chivalry.

What is feudalism?

A system of land ownership and duty. It defined social classes and responsibilities.

True or false: Lords worked the land themselves.

False, because they had serfs and peasants to work for them.

What did serfs provide to their lords?

Labor and a share of produce. In return, they received protection.

Difference between a fief and a manor.

A fief is land granted to a vassal. A manor is the estate with buildings and farmland.

What is a baron?

A type of lord. Barons usually managed a large area of land.

Who granted land to vassals?

Lords granted land to vassals in exchange for loyalty and military service.