FEUDALISM

The Origins of

’ armies

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feudalism

Feudalism in England

oath

imposed owned

BARONS dukes, earls counts “”leased swear “swear an oath”

farms serfs “villeins” servants

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When the king wanted an army, he sent messengers to his barons telling them to come with a lot of men, and the barons sent messages to the , and the knights sent messages to each village telling men to come and serve in the army.

But often the barons decided that they were as rich as the king, and didn't have to do what he said. Sometimes the king was so weak he could do nothing. Other times, the king had to fight a war to try to force the barons to do what he wanted.

A simple plan showing how the Feudal System works:

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The King

The King was in complete control under the Feudal System. He owned all the land in the country and decided who he would lease land to. He only allowed those men he could trust to lease land from him. However, before they were given any land they had to swear an oath to remain faithful to the King at all times. The men who leased land from the King were known as Barons; they were wealthy, powerful and had complete control of the land they leased from the King.

Barons

Barons leased land from the King which was known as a manor. They were known as the of the Manor and were in complete control of this land. They established their own system of justice, minted their own money and set their own taxes. In return for the land the King gave the Barons they had to serve on the royal council, pay rent and provide the King with Knights for military service when he demanded it. They also had to provide lodging and food for the King and his court when they travelled around the country. The Barons kept as much of their land as they wished for their own use, then divided the rest among their Knights. Barons were very rich.

Knights

Knights were given land by a Baron in return for military service when demanded by the King. They also had to protect the Baron, his family and his Manor from attack. The Knights kept as much of the land as they wished for their own personal use and distributed the rest to villeins (serfs). The Knights were quite rich.

4

Villeins

labour, rights

– TRUE OR FALSE

“”

 IN YOUR EXERCISE BOOKS DRAW A PYRAMID SHOWING THE FEUDAL SYSTEM

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WRITE THREE LISTS SHOWING THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BARONS, THE KNIGHTS, AND THE SERFS (VILLEINS).

1. THE BARONS

RIGHTS RESPONSIBILITIES

2. THE KNIGHTS RIGHTS RESPONSIBILITES

3. THE SERFS RIGHTS RESPONSIBILITIES

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ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS ABOUT FEUDALISM: 1. When did Charlemagne die? ______

2. What happened after he died? ______

3. Give the names of eight European kingdoms: a. ______b. ______c. ______d. ______e. ______f. ______g. ______h.______

4. Who gave the people protection in this period? ______

5. What buildings bacame important for the protection of the nobles and the people? ______

6. When did the Duke of Normandy invade England? ______

7. What system did he take to England? ______

8. Who owned all the land in this system? ______

9. What did the king divide his land into? ______

10. Give examples of the titles of the powerful men in this period: a. B______b. D______c. E______d. C______

11. The barons leased land from the king, so they were called t______

12. Translate into Spanish: a. to own = ______b. to lease = ______c. to promise = ______d. to swear an oath = ______e. to swear = ______

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13 Which group was at the bottom of the pyramid in the feudal system? ______

14. What did these people do? ______

KEY WORDS Army/armies To swear an oath To swear fealty To own Baron Duke Earl Count To rule In exchange Tenant-in-chief Serf Villein To provide To grant To lease To trust To provide Faithful Wealthy Manor To mint Tax Royal Council To demand Labour Rights

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GRAMMAR CONNECTIONS

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WEBSITES

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