Lesson 4: The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe

How did the Franks become Christians?

• They learned about Christianity from the conquering Vikings, who set up colonies in their land.

• They followed their leader Clovis into Christianity after he married a Christian woman.

What was Charlemagne's greatest accomplishment?

• A. He was the first Frankish king to become Christian.

• B. He permanently ended the threat from invading Vikings.

• C. He built an empire that endured for centuries after his death.

• D. He unified nearly all the Christian lands of Europe into a single empire.

Why did being crowned Holy Roman emperor make Charlemagne more powerful?

• A. It made people believe that God was on Charlemagne's side.

• B. It meant that Charlemagne now controlled the Roman Catholic Church.

• C. It gave Charlemagne power over the city of Rome.

• D. It sent the message that Charlemagne was a god.

Which three groups threatened Western Europe in the 9th and 10th centuries?

• A. Romans, Franks, and Clovis

• B. peasants, serfs, and fiefs

• C. Muslims, Magyars, and Vikings

• D. Normans, Saxons, and Angles

What was the purpose of feudalism?

• A. It spread democracy by giving the people a voice in their own government.

• B. It provided people with protection and safety by establishing a stable social order.

• C. It created a fair society by balancing the powers of the monarch and the people.

• D. It looked after the welfare of all people by making sure they had all the necessities of life.

When a king granted a fief to a vassal, what did the vassal owe the king in return?

• A. He worked the king's lands to produce food for him.

• B. He provided a number of peasants to work for the king.

• C. He gave the king a supply of knights in time of war.

• D. He owed the king nothing but his gratitude.

Most medieval monarchs

• A. believed that God gave them the right to rule.

• B. had enough wealth to keep their own armies.

• C. had complete control over their kingdoms.

• D. kept their vassals from gaining any power.

Why did William of Normandy invade England in 1066?

• A. He wanted to establish Norman colonies in England.

• B. He believed he had the right to be the king of England.

• C. He planned to raid English settlements and take their gold and silver.

• D. He wanted to place his cousin Harold on the English throne.

By the start of the High Middle Ages, around 1000 C.E., feudalism had

• A. been replaced by constitutional monarchy.

• B. brought stability to much of Europe.

• C. begun to establish itself in France.

• D. been overwhelmed by invasions by Vikings and Magyars.

What was the function of a castle?

• A. to serve as a home

• B. to protect people during times of military conflict

• C. to remind people of the power of the ruling classes

• D. all of the above