Medieval Europe feudalism notes

What is feudalism?

A hierarchical system where land was owned by lords and granted to vassals in exchange for service.

Define vassal.

A person who received land from a lord in exchange for loyalty and service.

True or false: Lords owned all land in feudalism.

True, because landownership was concentrated in the hands of lords.

Fill in the blank: A ________ was a large estate owned by a lord.

manor

Difference between serfs and freemen.

Serfs were bound to the land and worked for the lord; freemen had more rights and could own land.

What is a fief?

Land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for military service.

True or false: Knights were a type of merchant.

False, because knights were warriors serving lords in exchange for land.

Define chivalry.

A code of conduct associated with knights emphasizing bravery, honor, and respect for women.

What role did the church play in feudalism?

The church was a powerful institution that owned land and influenced political matters.

What was the economic system of feudalism based on?

Agriculture, where peasants worked the land to produce food and goods.

True or false: All vassals were knights.

False, because vassals could also be nobles or lesser lords.

What is a lord?

A noble who owned land and granted fiefs to vassals.

Fill in the blank: A __________ was a local lord in charge of a manor.

baron

Difference between a lord and a king.

A king ruled over a kingdom, while a lord ruled over a specific area of land.

What is the role of serfs in feudal society?

Serfs worked the land for lords and were bound to it, often with little freedom.

Quiz: What did a knight receive for their service?

A fief, which was land granted by a lord.

Define homage.

A ceremony in which a vassal pledged loyalty to a lord in exchange for land.

True or false: Peasants had many rights under feudalism.

False, because peasants had limited rights and were often bound to their lords.