The Feudal System Flashcards
what was the feudal system?
the social system in england after the Norman conquest
what were tenants in chief?
major landowners in england
what did tenants in chief agree to do in return for their land?
bring knights to fight for the king
what happened when a tenant in chief died?
the king would decide who inherited the land - usually the direct heir
what happened if a tenant in chief failed to maintain his obligations?
he would be forced to hand over his land and castles to the king (forfeiture)
what was knight service?
being prepared to fight for 40 days a year
what was the land that a knight held called?
a fief or a demesne
who would knights give some of their land to?
local people called villeins
who were villeins?
ordinary farmers
what did villeins do?
work 2-3 days weekly on their lord’s land - labour service
how many knights could the tenants in chief raise?
4000-5000
