The Black Death

Question 1

What is Feudalism?

Answer 1

A medieval social system

of Land ownership

and duties

Question 2

In Feudalism, who owns the land?

Answer 2

• The land belongs to the Crown
• It is granted to lords/nobles
• The lords grant land possession to a Vassal who manages its
• Villeins/serfs work the land (fiefs) for the Vassal

Question 3

In Feudalism, what are the duties of the serf to the Vassal?

Answer 3

The serf gives the vassal:

• Labour (farm the land),
• Pays rent,
• A share of the produce.

In exchange for:

• Food,
• Shelter,
• Military protection.

Question 4

In Feudalism, what are the duties of Knights (vassal to Lord) to the serfs?

Answer 4

The vassal gives to the serfs:

• Food,
• Shelter,
• Military protection.

In exchange for:

• Labour (farm the land),
• Rent,
• A share of the produce.

Question 5

In Feudalism, what are the duties of Knights (vassals) to the Lord?

Answer 5

The Knights give:

• Homage,
• Military Service

Note:

Homage (“pertaining to a man”) was the ceremony in which a feudal tenant or vassal pledged reverence and submission to his feudal lord, receiving in exchange the symbolic title to his new position (investiture)

Question 6

What is a serf?

Answer 6

An agricultural labourer

bound by the feudal system

tied to working on his lord’s estate

Question 7

Scotland and Ireland had a similar system, but the land was owned by whom?

Answer 7

Members of the “clans” - aka prominent families.

Question 8

How many people died in England as a result of the Black Death?

Answer 8

One third of the population, and a similar proportion in Scotland and Wales.

Question 9

The smaller population meant there was less need to grow what?

Answer 9

Cereal crops.

Question 10

The smaller population meant there were labour shortages, and peasants demanded higher wages. What happened because of this?

Answer 10

New social classes appeared, including owners of large areas of land. People left the countryside to live in towns. In towns, growing wealth led to the development of a strong middle class.

Question 11

What is the gentry?

Answer 11

Large areas of land.

Question 12

What happened in Ireland because of the Black Death that reduced English control?

Answer 12

Many people in Pale were killed.

Question 13

When was the Black Death?

Answer 13

14th Century

1348

Question 14

What was the Black Death?

Answer 14

A disease

Probably a form of a plague