The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe
Directions: You will create a concept web over the major topics of literature and philosophy.
You will place the terms inside of your web and connect words by lines and writing connector
phrases between the words. Try to make as many connections as you can. Most words
connect to multiple other words. Your connector phrases are explanations of how the two
terms relate to one another.
Feudalism Terms:
Knight
Lord
Roman Catholic Church
Monarch
Manors
Feudalism
Peasants
Fiefs
Moats
Nobles
Nobles and Peasants
Complete the Venn diagram to compare and contrast the lives of nobles and peasants on a feudal
manor. In the overlapping parts of the ovals, write or draw three ways these groups were
similar. In each of the other parts of the ovals, draw or write three ways they were different.
Nobles
Peasants
Answer the following questions:
1.
What were Charlemagne’s greatest accomplishments? How was he helped by the Catholic
Church?
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2. Why was there a need for order after the death of Charlemagne in 814?
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Letter writing:
Pretend you are a knight in medieval Europe. You would like to let future
generations of your family know what life was like on a feudal manor. Write a
letter to them below. Be sure to mention these things:




The main groups of people who live on your manor
What each person or group does for the others
What works well in the feudal system and why
What doesn’t work well in the feudal system and why
Label and
answer the
questions.
What responsibilities did monarchs have in the feudal system?
Why is William the Conqueror considered an important monarch?
What responsibilities did lords have in the feudal system?
What was the role of noblewomen in the feudal system?
What responsibilities did knights have in the feudal system?
What was the code of chivalry? What stages did a boy go through to
become a knight?
What responsibilities did peasants have in the feudal system?
How were the lives of male and female peasants different?
Think about which individuals or groups in our society are most similar to the various social clases in European Feudal
society. List those modern groups/individuals next to each level of feudal society, and draw symbols to respresent them.
Then list some of their similarities and differences.
Social Classes in
Feudal Europe
Monarch
Lords
Knights
Peasants
Individuals/ Groups Similarities and Differences between
in Our Society
these two groups
Feudalism Notes

This nickname was given to the Middle Ages. _______________

The period known as “The Middle Ages” is characterized by trade, land ownership, strong
central govt. or no religion? Explain your selection.
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
Who would most likely have said, “If you give me your loyalty, I will give you land and
protection.”? __________________________

What was a knight’s most important training? There is debate for the correct answer
here—so think of what their main purpose was in the Feudalism activity.
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
Serf were peasants who were not allowed to _________________________________.

What do these medieval items have in common? _____________________________
o Stone Wall
o Moat
o Knight’s armor

In the feudal system an individual’s social status was generally determined by what?
___________

What does the word feudalism mean?
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
Which city was added to the empire by Charlemagne by 814? ________________

On which river is Tours located? __________________________

Which island was added by Charlemagne by 814? _________________________

What physical feature did Charlemagne cross to enter Italy? __________________