2.1.3 End of Topic Test - The Feudal System

Question 1

What level of social status did a knight have?

Answer 1

It varied

Question 2

What is another word for under-tenant?

Answer 2

Vassal

Question 3

How long was knight service each year?

Answer 3

1-2 months per year

Question 4

Before the Norman invasion, England was divided into earldoms and each earldom was controlled by an Earl who could become incredible powerful (Godwin of Wessex). The king could make anyone an earl and give them a piece of land. In return, he expected their loyalty. What was this known as?

Answer 4

Patronage

Question 5

What did William do to earldoms after the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 5

At first, William allowed most Anglo-Saxons to keep their earldoms. However, he split the large areas that were without an earl (generally because they had been killed at Hastings - Wessex, whose Earl had been King Harold, was an example of this) into smaller areas and appointed Normans to govern them. These men were known as barons or tenants-in-chief.

Question 6

Which small group of barons became particularly powerful?

Answer 6

These included William’s two half-brothers, Robert of Mortmain and Bishop Odo, and a distant cousin, William FitzOsbern.

Question 7

By 1076, how many earldoms were still held by Anglo-Saxons?

Answer 7

2

Question 8

What was the Barons main role in Norman England?

Answer 8

Grant land through subinfeudation and give protection and justice.

Question 9

What was the Knights main role in Norman England?

Answer 9

Provide military aid and loyalty to the king; military service could be avoided through paying a form of tax called scutage.

Question 10

Villeins

Answer 10

Were not allowed to leave the land or marry without the lord’s permission

Question 11

Freemen

Answer 11

Paid rent to the lord but were not tied to him in other ways.