Feudalism Lesson
4.5
Students will explain how civilizations created social and political order through feudal relationships and
the class system in Europe by utilizing one of the big 11 social studies skills.—8 Collaboration with peers
Feudalism Lesson-- Each Student will be assigned a role to play in the Feudal system. There will be 2
Kings, 4 Lords, and 6 Knights. The rest of the students will receive a peasant slip. Kings will be given all
the land. Each student will read their role carefully. They will then have 12 minutes to negotiate with
one another. They will create deals, trade, and swear loyalty to get what they need. Once the 12
minutes are up, class will discuss what they did and where they ended up. After the discussion the
students will be shown the exit ticket question that will summarize the lesson.
Feudalism in the Middle Ages
Feudalism—this is a system developed in medieval Europe. Vikings,
moors, and raiders are a constant threat to towns and kingdoms of the
middle ages. Kings owned land but did not have the power to protect it.
Out of this need for protection rose the Feudal system.
King— Own all the land in the feudal system. He uses 1/4th of his land
for his own space to live and use for wealth. The rest he rents out to the
Knights and Barons (Vassal or Lords).
Lord/Baron/Vassal—These members swear allegiance to a King for a
piece of land. They give some land to Knights as payment for a need in
battle or war.
Knights—Military-skilled men who are there to protect the land of the
King.
Peasants—Provide food and services for the Knights. They also provide
an armed force for the armies
RULES: Kings must keep at least 1/4th of the land they start with; Lords
and Knights must keep at least one plot of land for themselves. By the
end you must have fulfilled your need. You have 20 minutes and must
return to your seat once time is up.
ROLE ASSIGNMENT CARDS
Role: KING
Skill: OWNS ALL LAND Need: PROTECTION
You are a King. You own a very large amount of land but, have almost
no way to protect it. You need to find someone who is able to protect
your land, you need other powerful allies you can trust, and you need
people. What you have to offer is land. You do not trust the Knights and
although you can use the peasants for farming you would have no idea
how to form them into an army.
Role: LORD
Skill: TRUSTWORTHY Need: LAND/PROTECTION
You are a Lord/Vassal/Baron. You have a vast amount of wealth and
influence on Knights. You require land and protection. You are
extremely loyal and your word is your power. You know and can trust
Knights. You can use the peasants for farming but have no idea how to
use them to form an army.
Role: KNIGHT
Skill: MILITARY
Need: LAND/FOOD
You are a Knight. You have highly valuable military skill. You do not
own land but your Military expertise can be traded for land which can,
in turn, be used to recruit peasants and create an army. You will want to
seek out Lord/Vassal/Barons for land and peasants to be in your army.
Role: PEASANT
Skill: Labor/Farming
Need: PROTECTION
You are a peasant. You live in a very harsh environment and can work
fields. You are in constant fear of invasion and having your town
burned. You own no land, have no military expertise, but have the skills
to work the land and can serve in the Knights army.
Assignment—Explain in your own
words how Feudalism works. Why did
this system arise at the time? What did
you think of the role you had been
assigned in the activity? What were the
benefits and problems with that role?
You should answer in at least one
paragraph (5 to 7 sentences, please!)
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land
Land