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Feudalism and the medieval social order

Study note

The Normans introduced a system of organising land and society called feudalism. Under feudalism, the king granted land to powerful lords in return for their help in war, such as providing soldiers when needed. It was a way of binding people together through duties and obligations.

At the bottom of this system were poor people called serfs, who worked the land for the lords in exchange for protection and a place to live. So the serfs, not the knights, barons or bishops, were the peasants who actually farmed the land. The system did not work the same way everywhere. In parts of Scotland and Ireland, land was held by groups known as clans. Remember the chain of feudalism: the king granted land to lords for military service, and serfs worked the land for those lords.

Memory tip: Feudalism: king -> lords (for military service) -> serfs work the land; clans in the Scottish/Irish north.

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Question 1 of 2

Under the feudal system, what were the poor people who worked the land called?

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Feudalism and the medieval social order: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Under the feudal system, what were the poor people who worked the land called?

    • Serfs
    • Knights
    • Bishops
    • Barons

    Correct answer: Serfs

    Serfs were the peasants who worked the land for the lords under feudalism.

  2. 2. Feudalism was a system in which the king gave land to lords in return for help in war.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Under feudalism land was granted in exchange for military service.

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