Module 3 Feudalism

1.Which period of Medieval history is known as Dark ages? Why?

The period from the 5th to 11th centuries in Europe is known as the Dark Ages. This period was known as the Dark Ages because of the following reasons:

a) There was no peace and security due to continuous wars.
b) There was a decline in trade.
c) People had no time for education.
d) Education was limited to religious centres and monasteries.
e) Feudalism existed and the peasants were treated badly.
f) Europe was cut off from the Arab world and deprived of the knowledge and culture of the Arabs.

2.What is feudalism?

The word ‘feudalism’ has been derived from the Latin word ‘feudum’ which means ‘fief’ or ‘a piece of land’ which is granted to a person in return for his services. Emergence of feudalism was one of the major changes took place in Europe after the disintegration of Roman Empire.

The land was distributed by Kings or Lords to aristocrats called Vassals. They in turn provided the King or the Lord with soldiers who were known as Knights. The land was given for cultivation by Vassals to peasants known as Serfs. The Serfs were not free to choose their occupation.

3.What were the factors that led to the decline of feudalism?

The factors that led to the decline of feudalism were:

a) a). Crusades or holy wars.
b) b). Revival of trade with The East and growth of new towns and cities.
c) New opportunities for the serfs to work in the cities.

4. Write an essay on feudalism What was its impact?

The word feudalism has been derived from the Latin word ‘feudum’ which means ‘fief’ or ‘a piece of land’ which is granted to a person in return for his services.

Europe was organized into units of land called manors, owned and ruled by the lords and by the church. Such land was given by the king or the Lord to the officers instead of cash salaries. It was also given to others whom the King wish to reward. This was done by the rulers to get the support of groups of powerful warriors to protect their kingdoms from enemies.
Those who were given land by the King or the Lord were known as Vassals. In return for the land, the Vassals provided the ruler with a fixed number of soldiers called Knights(armed horsemen) for a certain number of days each year.

The land given to vassals was cultivated by the peasants called Serfs. The serfs were attached to the land and could not change their jobs or move to another area. They cultivated the lands of their vassals and in return received a part of the crop. The vassals took the maximum share leaving a little for the serfs to maintain their families. Though the serfs were not slaves, they were treated badly by their masters. They formed the largest and the lowest social group in medieval European society.

Impact of feudalism

In the medieval age , Europe had no police system, civil services or judiciary. The only system that worked was feudal system which protected the people from lawlessness and disorder. The feudal lords used to impose taxes on the peasants, maintain law and order and serve as judges.

The feudal system had the following results:

a) a). Gradually the vassals became a class of powerful local rulers and began to rule their
b) fiefs like kings.This greatly reduced the authority of kings.
c) The position of the serfs deteriorated under the powerful vassals who exploited
them.
d) Knights decided the results of war.

Fill in the blanks.

1 .The medieval period in Europe stretched from------------to -------------.
2. ------------- provided military service to the King.
3 . ------------- formed the lowest rung of the feudal order.
4. .A piece of land given on condition of feudal service is a -----------.
5. The -------------- fight for the king or the lord in return for a fief.
6.. -------------- were exploited by vassals.
7.. In Europe medieval period is also referred to as -------------------.
8. .---------------- is a social system in which the king shared power with the nobility in return for military service.
9.. The medieval period began in India in --------------.
10. .Europe was organized into units of land called ------------.
11. Feudum means --------------.
12.. -------------- began to decline by the 13th century.
13 .-------------- were given fief by the king or lord in return of military service.
14 ---------- form the largest and lowest social group in medieval European society.
15.. Land was given by the king or lord to officers instead of ------------------.