2.1.1 Roles, Rights & Responsibility Flashcards
What was feudalism?
A hierarchical system
Who were the ‘tenants’ in William’s feudalism?
His supporters and allies
Tenants in Feudalism
William gave his tenants land. You’ll remember that his allies in the invasion of England were given Earldoms in the Marcher Earldoms. Tenants were expected to be loyal to the king. They were expected to contribute troops, knights and military forces to the king if he asked.
Tenants-in-chief in Feudalism
The most important tenants were called tenants-in-chief. Tenants-in-chief included lords, barons, bishops, and abbots. (Being part of the Church was an influential position. When William was overseas, the Archbishop of Canterbury often oversaw the running of England). Tenants-in-chief would grant loyal supporters land, money and other benefits for supporting them.
Vassals in Feudalism
The people under the tenants-in-chief were called ‘under-tenants’. They were also called vassals. The vassals would pay taxes to their tenant-in-chief and would also fight for the tenant-in-chief if requested.
Knights in Feudalism
- Knights were some of the best soldiers in England. Barons and lords (who were tenants-in-chief in the feudal hierarchy) had to provide knights to the king for 1-2 months of the year. This was called ‘knight service’.
- Some knights were members of the nobility and some knights lived like peasants. However, they could all fight.
- William again relied on tenants-in-chief for knights and tenants-in-chief would call on their under-tenants in a cascading hierarchy.
Feudal control (4)
- The feudal system created a cascade of something like ownership. People were obliged to the people above them in the hierarchy.
- Any tenant-in-chief who upset William could have their land and money removed
- Any under-tenant who upset their tenant-in-chief could also have their land and money removed
- The act of taking away someone’s land or money was called forfeiture
Peasants in Feudalism
As in Anglo-Saxon society, peasants were the lowest rung in society. Vassals would give their peasants a small plot of land to farm. The peasants would give them food product or pay rent in exchange.
Labour service in Feudalism (2)
- Peasants worked for their landlord in ‘labour service’. In exchange for this labour, the lord or noble would protect the peasants.
- Unlike the ceorls (poor farmers) under Anglo-Saxon rulers, under Norman rule, peasants had to stay with their lord, and could not work for another if they chose.
Landholding in Feudalism (2)
- Peasants held land if their lord gave them land. They also had to do labour service for their lord.
- The nobles held land, but William could take land from them via forfeiture or in the ceremony of homage to reduce noble families’ assets and influence.
Homage in Feudalism
To control the inheritance process in England, William introduced a ceremony of homage. This meant that the king could extract parts of the inheritance and made everyone and their families’ assets beholden to (dependent on) him.
Knight service in Feudalism
Knights were the best soldiers in England. Having thousands of Knights paid for by William would be expensive. The leasing or renting of Knights for 1-2 months per year meant that William had a strong army, but didn’t have to pay too much for it. Nobles who lent William their knights were rewarded with their landholdings.
What could peasants NOT do under the Norman feudal system?
Leave one lord to work for another
Who were ‘tenants’ in Norman England? (3)
- William I made his supporters and allies ‘tenants’
- The most important tenants were called tenants-in-chief
- The people under the tenants-in-chief were called ‘under-tenants’. They were also called vassals.
What was the role of peasants within the feudal system? (2)
- Peasants held land if their lord gave them land. They also had to do labour service for their lord.
- Unlike the ceorls (poor farmers) under Anglo-Saxon rulers, under Norman rule, peasants had to stay with their lord, and could work for another if they chose.
