The Development of Feudalism: Study Guide
Key Terms:
Barbarian = The person who belong to a tribe or group that is considered uncivilized
Charlemagne = King of the Franks, he was brilliant warrior and strong leader. He was crowned Emperor of Roman in 800
Chivalry = European called their code of honorable behavior for knights
Christianity = The religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
Clovis = Frankish king, he built a huge kingdom in Gaul
Divine right of kings = The belief that God gives monarchs the right to rule
Duke = The highest type of European noble, ranking just below a prince
Feudalism = Historians call this system of promises that governed the relationship between lords and vassals
Hierarchy = A system of organizing people into ranks, with those higher ranks
Knights = Warrior who fought on horseback
Lord = A ruler of a powerful land holder
Moat = A deep, wide ditch, often filled with water
Monarch = A ruler, such as a king or queen
Noble = A person of high ranks by birth or title
Peasants = Who worked the land
Roman Catholic Church = The Christian's Church eaded by the pope in Rome
Serf = Workers who were tied to the land on which they lived
Consult your Reading Notes and answer the following questions:
1.Why did feudalism develop in Western Europe?
The Roman Empire collapsed, life was dangerous and difficult. So people needed protection; land to work on to eat.
2.How did Clovis and Charlemagne help spread Christianity?
· Clovis-king of Franks became a Christian and many of his people became Christian too.
· Charlemagne-king of Franks unified many countries and made them Christian in Europe.
3.How did feudalism work?
Feudalism system was a system of relationships that provided protection and order.
4.What social classes existed within the feudal system? Describe each class.
Monarch:
Monarch kept order and supplied to their vassals.
Lords & Ladies:
Responsible for managing and defending their manors and acting as judges. They fought for their lords in time of war, and supplied soldiers.
Knights:
Soldiers in the feudal system and were expected to be loyal to their church and lords, to be fair, and to protect their helper.
Peasants:
Worker at raising crops and tending livestock worked as carpenters, shoemaker, and smiths.
Peasants paid taxes to lards.
5.How did monarchs justify their power?
The king have the “Divine Right of Kings” god said so.
6.Describe the differences in the daily lives of lords, ladies, knights, and peasants.
Lords:
· Manage his land.
· Defend his land.
Ladies:
· Raised children.
· Overseeing households.
Knights:
· Protect King/Lord/Peasants.
· Practice fighting.
Peasants:
· Raised crops.
· Tend to livestock
