feudal system Flashcards
order of feudal hierachy
1.King (owned all land)
2.Tenants-in-chief (nobles and bishops)
3.Under-tenants (knights and local lords)
4.Peasants (labourers).
why did william introduce the feudal system
To reduce the cost of an army-
Maintaining an army was expensive because a monarch had to:
-Pay soldiers a wage
-Feed men and horses
-Maintain and buy weapons
The feudal system meant the responsibility to look after soldiers was on the under-tenants
Under-tenants gained land called fiefs
Fiefs required under-tenants to provide knights with the right armour and equipment to complete their duty
Knights gave the king 40 days of unpaid service a year
Tenants-in-chief ensured that knights had money at this time
The feudal system only worked if everyone in the system met their obligations
For example, an under-tenant had to provide ten knights to the king. The tenant-in-chief would provide ten pieces of land for the knights to use
role of tenants in chief
Military
-Led knights into battle and used these knights to put down rebels in their area. provided military service for the king.
Landholding-
Organised and distributed land from Anglo-Saxons to Normans. ensured knights and under-tenants had enough land to grow crops
Legal
Tenants-in-chief could have a large number of fiefs, called a barony. had to judge tenants’ land disputes in the barony
Economic-
Passed on share of their fiefs’ income to the king. Talso kept a large amount of money for themselves.
Political
Served on royal council to give the king advice on important issues. When the king travelled, tenants-in-chief provided food and shelter for him and his court
role of knights
Military
-most skilled and feared military group at the time.
-The king used knights to defend England against Viking invaders and fight wars with France.
- also suppressed rebellions within England as well as attacks from Wales and Scotland
Social
-Knights sheltered in and attacked from castles around the country.
Residents of castles established stables and blacksmiths to care for knights. gave work to some people in Norman England
Political
Knights replaced Anglo-Saxon thegns as the social rank below tenants-in-chief.
-Many knights became local lords and tried cases in the manorial court
how could someone gain landholdings in the feudal system.
Relief-A tax paid by heirs to inherit land, used to reward loyalty or punish disobedience.
Homage-
A public ceremony where tenants swore loyalty to their lord and ultimately the king.
Labour Service
Peasants gained land by providing manual labour to their lord they could use this land to feed themselves as well as the lord
-Labour service could involve:
Looking after the land by ploughing, planting crops or harvesting
how could someone loose landholdings
A land-user may not fulfil their obligations such as:
-Not providing knights for the king
-Not paying tax for the land
-Going against their act of homage
William could force the forfeiture of the land-
This meant that the landholder had to return the land to the king or tenant-in-chief
used this method to transfer Anglo-Saxon land to Norman followers.
effects of the feudal system
-The Anglo-Saxon thegns were replaced by Norman under-tenants.
-Ceorls became nearly extinct, with most peasants becoming villeins tied to the land.
-Increased resentment between peasants and the upper classes.
How did the feudal system affect military organization?
-Knights formed the military backbone, suppressing rebellions and defending against invasions.
-Castles served as military bases and symbols of Norman dominance.
