Exchanges in the Feudal System

Question 1

How was land exchanged in the feudal system?

Answer 1

Nobody could inherit land without making a relief payment to the king and swearing an oath of homage.

Question 2

Why did the King share land?

Answer 2

The system of paying a relief encouraged loyalty to the king and also raised money for him.

Question 3

How did the King alter the amount of land someone gained?

Answer 3

The king could reward favourites with low relief payments for their sons, and use high relief payments as a threat for rebellious ones.

Question 4

What was advantageous for the King through his relief programme?

Answer 4

This system prevented any noble from gaining so much land that they could challenge the king.

Question 5

How was homage exchanged in the feudal system?

Answer 5

The ceremony of homage was an important event in which the tenant-in-chief knelt before the king and said ‘I become your man’. He then swore on the Bible to remain loyal to the king for the rest of his life.

Question 6

Peasants promised to work for their lord in return for enough land to support themselves. Sometimes this meant working on the lord’s land to plough, sow and gather crops. What was this known as?

Answer 6

Boon work