***Use the backside of this paper to look at examples of Feudal obligations between Lords and
Vassals.
Directions: In your groups, you need to divide yourselves between lords and vassals. You must create a
feudal contract for your group and each group member needs to sign it, which symbolizes your
agreement to the terms. You can use some of the examples below to help you get started. In your
official contracts, you have to have at least 3 obligations for each side from the ones listed below, and 2
obligations you come up with on your own. Write the contract in paragraph form and MAKE IT
OFFICIAL!!
Obligations of the Lord: (Ideas/Examples of what the Vassal would receive):











Grant a share of his land (Fief)
Protect and feed the poor orphans and widows
Choose a new husband for a vassal’s widow
Provide a castle for safety and protection
Be a guardian of a minor who will inherit a fief
of a vassal
If the vassal gives his daughter in marriage, his eldest son is knighted.
Be given a certain percentage of the produce the vassal grows on the land (Fief)
Hold court on the fief to provide justice to all people living there
Lead vassals and knights into battle against all enemies
Maintain roads, bridges, and defenses
Agree to make minor adjustments to contract when necessary.
Obligations of the Vassal: (Ideas/Examples of what the Vassal would have to provide to the Lord)












Supply a certain amount of knights for the lord’s protection
Give contributions to the lord if your son is knighted
Work on the land given to you by the lord to the best of your ability
Give contributions to the lord when he is in prison and needs to be ransomed.
Attend the lord’s court when summoned to be a judge in cases against other vassals
(Trial of Peers)
Request a certain percent of produce grown on the pieces of land you handed out to
vassals
Entertain the lord and his people in the castle
Agree not to pollute the lord’s rivers, lakes, or streams
Allow the lord to choose a new husband for your widow
Allow the lord to kill disobedient serfs on your fief without question
Give contributions to the lord when your daughter gets married
Agree to minor adjustments and changes to your feudal contract when necessary