Middle Ages Introduction

What was the name of the basic government and society that granted land to people for service?

• Tyranny

• Feudalism

• Republic

• Manor

What was the center of city life called? This was run by the local lord. He lived in a large house or castle where people would gather for celebrations or for protection if they were attacked. A small village would form around the castle which would include the local church. Farms would then spread out from there which would be worked by the peasants.

• Manor

• Castle

• Feudalism

• Keep

In a feudal society, this person was at the top. He could not control all of the land, so he divided it up among others who in turn pledged their loyalty.

• Bishop

• Serfs

• King

• Baron

This person was the top church leader and managed an area called a diocese; Some were very rich

• King

• Baron

• Bishop

• Serf

This group ruled large areas of land called fiefs. They divided up their land to people who would run individual manors. Their main job was to maintain an army.

• Kings

• Bishops

• Barons

• Serfs

These were the people who ran the local manors. They owned everything on their piece of land including the crops, village, and the poor people.

• Kings

• Bishops

• Barons

• Lords

Most of the people during this time fell into this group. They had a very hard life. Some were allowed to own their own businesses, but others were treated like slaves. They owned nothing and had barely enough food to survive.

• Lords

• Bishops

• Serfs

• Barons

This was a defensive ditch dug around the castle. It could be filled with water and there was typically a drawbridge across it to get to the castle gate.

• Moat

• Keep

• Curtain Wall

• Gatehouse

This was a large tower and the last place of defense in a castle.

• Keep

• Moat

• Battlements

• Arrow Slits

This was the wall around the castle which had a walkway on it from which defenders could fire arrows down onto attackers.

• Keep

• Battlements

• Moat

• Curtain Wall