Medieval Power Flashcards
Who had the most power in a medieval kingdom?
The king or queen, but they often shared power with nobles and the Church.
What was the feudal system?
A system where the king gave land to nobles in exchange for loyalty and military service.
Who were the lords, and what was their job?
Lords were powerful landowners who ruled over peasants and provided knights for the king.
What role did knights play in medieval society?
Knights protected the land and served their lords in battles.
What could happen to a king who didn’t keep his nobles happy?
The nobles might rebel or try to take power from the king.
What was the role of peasants in the feudal system?
Peasants worked the land and provided food for the kingdom.
Why were castles important for power in the medieval world?
Castles were used to protect land, control areas, and show the lord’s power
Who was the head of the Church in medieval England?
The Pope, who lived in Rome, was the head of the Church
What was a bishop’s role in medieval England?
Bishops were powerful leaders who ran large areas of the Church and advised the king.
Why did people listen to the Church?
It was the centre of their social calendar, important feast days and celebrations happened there. They were also afraid of the consequences of not listening to the Church.
How did the Church keep control through fear?
The sermon would be in English and warn them of the dangers of sinning, there were doom paintings which showed peasants clearly the suffering of purgatory.
What is purgatory?
The time between death and entering hell or heaven (the waiting room)
What were monasteries?
Monasteries were places where monks lived
What 4 ways did the monasteries offer support to the peasants?
Education, Healthcare, Almsgiving, Shelter
What is a tithe?
A tax paid to the church - 1/10 of what people earned.
