Decline of Feudalism Study Guide
Key Terms:
Magna Carta = A document listing rights that the king could not ignore
Bubonic Plague = A deadly plague that swept throght Europe Between 1347 and 1351
Hundred Years' War = A long conflict between England and France that came to be
Consult your reading and answer the following questions:
I. The Signing of the Magna Carta
1. What changes did the Magna Carta Bring about in English government?
· Protected rights of nobles
· King can not put free men in jail without a trial (court)
· King's power is limited (lose power)
· Noble's power in government increased
2. What ideas did the Magna Carta establish? (p. 55)
· Idea of rights that ever a king can't takes away
· King can't put free men in the jail without a trial (court)
II. The Bubonic Plague
1. What areas of the world were affected by the spread of the plague in the 14th century? (p. 56)
Europe & Asia (Trade)
2. Why was the plague called the Black Death? (p. 56)
People got Black & Blue blotches on their bodies.
3. How was the plague spread? (p. 56)
Trade boats from Asia → (to) Europe and the carried rats which had fleas which carried the plague.
4. Approximately how much of the European population died as a result of the plague?
24 million of people = 1/3 of the people
5. How did the plague affect nobles? Workers? The feudal system? (p. 57)
· Nobles : Shift in power from nobles to commoner (worker)
· Workers : A lot of people died , So they could get better job & more money.
· feudal system : System changed commoner (worker) power↑ & nobles power↓
III. The Hundred Years' War
1. How did the Hundred Years' War start?
France & English fought over land. (in France)
2. Why were the English able to defeat the French in early battles, such as the one at Crecy?
Because the English army has a better bow → The long bow (file father , easy to learn.)
3. Who was Joan of Arc? What did she do for the French during the Hundred Years' War?
· A 17-year-old French peasant girl.
· She claimed she heard saints voices tell her France would win battle.
· She led France army to victory in battle.
4. How did the war contribute to the decline of feudalism?
The power shifted from lords to kings and commoners.
Why?
· Because peasants started becoming soldiers in the army.
· Changed in military technology (like the long bow) made the knights less useful.
