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Feudalism
What was the relationship between a
lord and a vassal?
The lord would give land to a vassal
 In return the vassal was expected to
fight for the lord
 It was an honorable relationship

What was a vassal’s obligation to his
lord?
Vassal provide about 40 days of military
service per year
 Gave lord advice when asked
 Made payments to the lord on certain
occassions

What power did the Church have?

Church had great authority since many
Church officials had high government
positions
How did feudalism become a
complicated system?
Kings had vassals who themselves had
vassals
 The same noble might be a vassal to
several different lords

Describe the code of Chivalry
followed by the knights.
Knights were expected to defend the
Church and defenseless people
 They had to treat captives as honored
guests [no throwing them in dungeons]
 It also implied a desire to fight for glory,
not material reward

Describe the rigid feudal class
structure.
Kings
Lords
Lesser lords
Knights
Serfs/peasants
What was the relationship between
the lord and the serfs (peasants tied
to land)?
Serfs worked the land for the lord in
exchange for housing, land and protection
 Serfs also had to pay several different kinds
of taxes to the lord
 Serfs provided lord with share of crops and
provide labor to the lord

Why did serfs rarely have to leave
the manor?

The manor was self-sufficient
 It produced almost everything needed for
daily life
Why were serfs willing to accept the
harsh lives?
Acceptance was part of Church
teachings
 They believed God had decided their
position in life and they would be
rewarded in heaven
