Feudalism in Medieval Europe: Power, Land, and Social Hierarchies

Feudalism was a dominant social system in medieval Europe from the 9th to 15th centuries. It was characterized by a hierarchy of lords, vassals, and knights, with the king at the top. Land was divided into fiefdoms, and nobles swore allegiance to the king in exchange for land and military service. Knights were granted land and were expected to fight for their lords. Peasants and serfs worked the land, with serfs being bound to their manors. Over time, the system declined as centralized armies and professional soldiers replaced knights, reducing the power of the lords.

What was the primary social system in medieval Europe called?

• Monarchism

• Capitalism

• Feudalism

• Socialism

Who owned all the land in a feudal country?

• The king

• The peasants

• The church

• The knights

What was a fiefdom?

• A division of land ruled by a noble

• A type of medieval weapon

• A type of currency

• A religious institution

What was the primary duty of knights in the feudal system?

• To collect taxes

• To oversee religious ceremonies

• To provide military service

• To manage trade

What was a knight's fee?

• Land granted to a knight

• A type of medieval currency

• A knight's armor

• A tax paid by knights

Who were the people living and working in manors?

• Soldiers

• Peasants

• Merchants

• Nobles

What was the difference between free peasants and serfs?

• Free peasants were bound to the land

• Free peasants had more rights than serfs

• Serfs were wealthier than free peasants

• Serfs could own land

What led to the decline of the feudal system?

• The rise of knights

• The invention of the printing press

• The centralization of armies

• The discovery of new lands

When did most aspects of European feudalism come to an end?

• 15th century

• 12th century

• 9th century

• 18th century

How do historians view the feudal system today?

• As a significant part of the Middle Ages

• As a minor part of history

• As irrelevant to modern society

• As a system that still exists