Feb. 13
William of Normandy (aka William the Conqueror) & Feudalism
1066
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Important –
William of Normandy crossed the English Channel & conquered England
Battle of Hastings
Historical reasons:
A. mounted knight became most powerful, deadliest warrior in Europe
B. intro of the feudal system to England
Feb. 17
Feudalism based on the 3 F’s:
a. Fief (Land)
b. Fealty (Loyalty)
c. Faith (Religion)
Fief in exchange for fealty:
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Land from king in exchange for fealty (loyalty)
Owe loyalty to king
Serve in king’s army for 40 days/yr
Serve in king’s court & give advice to king
Give $ to king on special occasions like when lord’s daughter gets married
Lord gets king’s protection & justice
- king will defend lord from attack
- settle any disagreements b/w 2 or more lords (nobles)
Faith – oath of allegiance in ceremony (under God’s eyes)
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Feudal Contract
Vassal – people beneath you (politically (gov’t), socially (friendship circles) and economically ($))
Tenant – people who lease/rent from you
Landholder/Landowner – king
Tenant-in-chief: Great noble
Tenants or subtenants: everyone else below the Greater noble
Freeholders & Serfs – bottom of the pyramid
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Freeholder – “rents” the land from the Lord of the Manor, little rights
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Serf – belong to the land, very little rights – farm & live on the manor
Domesday Book:
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Like the census that we do today (every 5 years, the gov’t. sends out a booklet that asks: how
many people in your family, how many people live in your house, how much $ do you make,
what ethnic group do you belong to, etc.)
Statistics Canada
Stats on the population during William’s Rule
Questions
1. What is the Feudal System? What was it based on? Explain the feudal system.
2. How did a vassal gain protection as well as land from the feudal contract? What services did the
vassal offer his lord?
3. What is the feudal contract?
4. Who were at the bottom of the feudal hierarchy?
5. What one fundamental right did serfs enjoy?
6. Which would you prefer, feudalism or democracy? Why?
7. What is the Domesday book? How does this help William?
8. Where does feudalism exist today? Explain.