Introduction to challenging authority and feudalism Flashcards
1
Q
what was the power of medieval kings?
A
- absolute
- decision-making of the entire country concentrated in a single person’s hands
2
Q
feudal system
A
- kings
- barons
- knights
- freeman
- peasants
3
Q
relationship between kings and barons
A
- king grants land to the barons
- barons provide money and knights to the king
4
Q
relationship between barons and knights
A
- barons grant land to knights
- knights provide protection and military service to barons
5
Q
relationship between knights and freemen
A
- knights rent land to freeman
- freemen pay rents and taxes to knights
6
Q
relationship between freemen and peasants
A
- peasants provide food and services to freeman
- freemen work the lands of barons
- knights and freeman in exchange for a small strip of land
7
Q
why was land greatly sought?
A
- crops could be grown on it
- people could be charged rent for living on it
8
Q
who were freemen?
A
- either merchants who bought and sold goods in towns
- farmers who rented the land from a baron or a knight
9
Q
who were peasants/villeins?
A
- bottom of the feudal hierarchy
- villeins worked the land of the barons or the free men and in return, were given a small strip of land on which to grow their own food
- had no rights
- couldn’t leave the land without permission and could be bought and sold
- around 2 million people in medieval england were villeins
10
Q
power of the king
A
- top of the feudal system
- power wasn’t unlimited
- the kind had to work hard to keep the barons happy and ensure they supported him,
- power didn’t extend to the church
11
Q
what was the church responsible for?
A
- had an enormous influence on medieval life through its services that were held in every town and village in the country
- responsible for much of the education and helped care for the poor, sick and elderly
- wealth power and ability to influence people meant that, in many ways. the medieval church became a rival to the king
