The Feudal System and Jews in Medieval England

Question 1

What does hierarchy mean?

Answer 1

A way of organising society by authority levels, the most important person sits at the top.

Question 2

What were the four main ranks in the system? (4)

Answer 2

King.
Tenants-in-chief.
Knights.
Peasants.

Question 3

What was the King’s role in the system? (2)

Answer 3

He granted loan and tax concessions.

Provided peace, law and protection in return for loyalty and service.

Question 4

What was the tenants-in-chiefs role in the system? (2)

Answer 4

They granted land and privileges to Knights.

Assisting and advising the government.

Question 5

What was the peasants’ role in the system?

Answer 5

They worked on the land that was owned by their lord.

Question 6

What were the three types of peasants in the feudal system? (3)

Answer 6

Freeman.
Villein.
Cottar.

Question 7

What was the Royal Demesne?

Answer 7

The land that was owned and kept by the King.

Question 8

Explain the role of a Freeman in the feudal system?

Answer 8

Paid rent in exchange for land and could move.

Question 9

Explain the role of a Villein in the feudal system?

Answer 9

A peasant who was the property of their lord and couldn’t move.

Question 10

Explain the role of a Cottar in the feudal system?

Answer 10

A peasant who held a cottage with a small piece of land.

Question 11

What were two features of Knight Service? (2)

Answer 11

To serve the King’s army for at least 60 days while providing their own resources.
To perform up to 40 days service in guarding the lords castle and in training.

Question 12

What were two features of Labour service? (2)

Answer 12

They had to work for their overlords by collecting the harvest by farming on the land provided to them.
They didn’t owe military service as it was the duty of their Lord to protect them.

Question 13

How did forfeiture help the feudal system function properly?

Answer 13

It meant that if a vassal didn’t perform as he promised to in his oath, then his land would be taken away.

Question 14

Describe the features of the legal status of Jews? (2)

Answer 14

They had legal protection from the king.

They didn’t have to pay taxes.

Question 15

Why did the Christians not like usury?

Answer 15

They weren’t allowed to charge interest on loans, but Jews were.

Question 16

Define usury?

Answer 16

The action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest.

Question 17

Define pogroms?

Answer 17

Deliberate persecution of an ethnic or religious group either approved or condoned by the local authorities.

Question 18

Why were there pogroms against the Jewish people during 1189 and 1190? (3)

Answer 18

Christians regarded money lending as unchristian.
Jews were accused of being Christ killers.
Some Christians felt that the Jewish gift to the King was an insult.

Question 19

How did Richard and John exploit the Jewish people for tax? (2)

Answer 19

They had to pay a large amount towards Richard’s ransom.

John charged them £2,700 for the rights outlined in his 1201 Charter.