feudalism Flashcards
intro
the feudal system was the name given to the way society was organised in medieval times. originating in france and adopted in britain after the norman invasion, the system was based on the idea of service in return for land.
barons ku
barons provided knights for the kings army. if they could not supply knights they had to pay scutage to pay for mercenaries to fight instead of the knights.
barons a-
therefore barons were important because without them the king would be unable to raise an army to protect and expand his empire.
barons A+
however it can be argued they weren’t important because they relied on others to support them. they needed the king for his patronage and they needed the knights to fight on their behalf. they could not succeed on their own.
king ku
from the king came grants of almost everything that it was in his power to give: land, privileges, financial and judicial customs and services.
king a-
therefore king was important because at the top of the feudal system everyone else relied upon them to provide them with land which would allow them to live. without the king the feudal structure would be unable to work effectively.
king A+
however king not important because the king could not be successful without the support of the barons. this was evident during the reign of John I when problems with rebellious barons led to the Magna Carta, signed in 1215.
peasants ku
peasants were important due to the need for a productive class working in agriculture, providing goods and service for their lord. it was expected that peasants would run their own day to day lives.
peasants a-
therefore peasants important because people in feudal system relied on them to work the land and provide food. they also played a key role as they played a part in their day to day community.
peasants A+
however peasants had little control beyond their own community. the peasants revolt demonstrates this as it was easily quashed by richard ii. it was rare for peasants to rise through the feudal system to positions of power.
knights ku
knights performed military service on behalf on the local baron for the king. usually knights had to commit to 40 days service a year, in return they were given land and status, if they could not fulfil their duty they were expected to pay scutage.
knights a-
therefore the knights were important because they were responsible for defending the kingdom. without the knights the king would be unable to protect or expand his empire.
knights A+
however knights were not that important because they could not be successful without the patronage of their local lord. they needed their lord to supply them with essential equipment and pay for its upkeep. so without the financial support of their lord, a knight could not function.
conclusion
