What was the purpose of the feudal system in Medieval England Flashcards
What was the feudal hierarchy
The way in which society was structured in the middle ages. This was organised using different levels of authority, the most important person at the top
What were the four main ranks in the system
King
Tenants-in-chief
Knights
Peasants
What were the two main roles of the king in the system
He granted land and tax concessions
Provided peace, law, protection in return for loyalty and service
What were the two main roles of tenants-in-chief in the system
They granted land and privileges to knights
Assisting and advising the government
What were the three different types of peasants
Freeman
Villein
Cottar
What was a freeman
A peasant that paid rent for their land but cold move
What was Villein
A peasant who was the property of their lord and couldn’t move
What was a Cottar
A peasant who held a cottage with a small piece of land
What was Knight service
The agreement by which a tenant promised a number of knights to the king to provide the king with an army. Knights would have to do Knights service for 40 days for free
What was labour service
The services owed by a peasant to his lord in exchange for land. They had to do different amounts of service depending on whether they were a villein, cottar or a freeman
