Feudal Europe: Feudalism, Manorialism, and the Roman Catholic Church
Grade (s):
World History; Grade 10
Topic:
Europe Rebuilds After the Fall of Rome
Lesson focuses on the concept of time, continuity, and change
as Europe rebuilds its social, political, and religious order.
Content Objective (Aligned with TEKS):
Students will understand the cause and effect relationship between the decline of Roman culture and the creation of a
new feudal Europe.
TEKS:
1C: "Identify major causes and describe the major effects 23A: "Describe the historical origins, central ideas, and
of the following important turning points in world history spread of major religious and philosophical traditions,
from 600 to 1450: the spread of Christianity, the decline
including...Christianity... and the development of
of Rome, and the formation of medieval Europe..."
monotheism..."
3A: "Describe the major political, religious/philosophical, 23B: "Identify examples of religious influence on various
and cultural influences of... Rome, including the
events referenced in the major eras of world history."
development of monotheism... and Christianity."
3B: "Explain the impact of the fall of Rome on Western
29F: "Analyze information by sequencing, categorizing,
Europe."
identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing,
contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making
generalizations and predictions, drawing inferences, and
conclusions, and developing connections between
historical events over time."
4A: "Explain the development of Christianity as a unifying 29G: "Construct a thesis on a social studies issue or event
social and political factor in medieval Europe and the
supported by evidence."
Byzantine Empire."
4B: "Explain the characteristics of Roman Catholicism and 30A: "Use social studies terminology correctly."
Eastern Orthodoxy."
4C: "Describe the major characteristics of and the factors 30B: "Use standard grammar, spelling, sentence
contributing to the development of the political/social
structure, and punctuation."
system of feudalism and the economic system of
manorialism."
19A: "Identify the characteristics of monarchies and
30C: "Interpret and create written, oral, and visual
theocracies as forms of government in early civilizations." presentations of social studies information
19B: "Identify the characteristics of the following political
systems: theocracy, absolute monarchy, democracy..."
CCRS:
I,A5: "Analyze how various cultural regions have changed II,B5: "Explain the concepts of socioeconomic status and
over time."
stratification."
I,B2: "identify and evaluate sources and patterns of
III,B1: "Apply social studies methodologies to compare
change and continuity across time and place."
societies and cultures."
I,B3: "Analyze causes and effects of major political,
IV,A5: "Read narrative texts critically."
economic, and social changes in ... world history."
I,C1: "Evaluate different government systems and
IV,A6: "Read research data critically."
functions."
I,C2: "Evaluate changes in the functions and structures of IV,B1: "Use established research methodologies.
government across time."
I,D1: "Identify and evaluate the strengths and
IV,B3: "Gather, organize, and display the results of data
weaknesses of different economic systems."
and research."
I,E1: "Identify different social groups... and examine how IV,B4: "Identify and collect sources."
they form and how and why they sustain themselves."
I,E2: "Define the concept of socialization and analyze the IV,C1: "Identify and interpret presentations... critically."
Feudal Europe: Feudalism, Manorialism, and the Roman Catholic Church
role socialization plays in human development and
behavior."
I,E3: "Explain how social institutions... function and meet
the needs of society."
I,E4: "Identify and evaluate the sources and
consequences of social conflict."
I,F1: "Use a variety of research and analytical tools to
explore questions or issues thoroughly and fairly."
II,B3: "Analyze diverse religious concepts, structures, and
institutions around the world."
Vocabulary:
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Feudalism
Manorialism
Monarch
Monotheism
Orthodox
Fief
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Lord
Vassal
Serf
Peasant
Divine Right
Homage
IV,D1: "Construct a thesis that is supported by evidence."
V,A1: "Use appropriate oral communication techniques
depending on the context or nature of the interaction."
V,A2: "Use conventions of standard written English."
V.B1: "Attribute ideas and information to source
materials and authors."
Visuals, Materials, & Texts:
Video: Hellenismos: The Religion
of the Hellenic Polytheists.
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=617qc8gmta8
Discussion Guides 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Social Hierarchy Form (blank).
Social Hierarchy Form
(answered).
Final Project Guidelines
Comparing and
Contrasting Roman
Catholicism and Eastern
Orthodoxy form.
Vocabulary List.
Maps 1 and 2.
Definitions.
Essential/Research Question:
I want students to understand the changes that occurred between the decline in the Roman Empire and the
development of feudal Europe with particular focus on social, political, and religious functions.
Activities
Review & Check for Understanding:
Activating Prior Knowledge (Processes, Stems, &
Strategies):
 In small groups of 2 or 3, look at maps 1 and 2.
Students should compare and contrast the
maps.
Building Vocabulary & Concept Knowledge (Processes,
Stems, & Strategies): This is the building of new
knowledge
 Discuss vocabulary definitions.

Compare and contrast Roman and Feudal
social order, religion, and government.

Watch converted You-Tube Video entitled
Hellenismos: The Religion of the Hellenic
Polytheists located on the desktop.
(Response Signals, Writing, Self-Assessment, Student
Products, etc.)
 After working in small groups, initiate a class
discussion. Ask questions on Discussion Guide 1.
 Discuss questions on Discussion Guide 2.
 Create a diagram of social order using new
vocabulary.
 Review Discussion Guide 3.
 Discuss the video and the idea of "time, continuity,
and change". Talk about how things that changed
over time still have an effect on society and remain
important today.
Feudal Europe: Feudalism, Manorialism, and the Roman Catholic Church

Introduce the division between Roman
Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. (Discussion
Guide 4.)
Structured Conversation & Writing (Processes, Stems,
& Strategies): This is the section that applies new
knowledge and closure of lesson
 Have students fill in the Compare and Contrast chart
with a partner.
 Introduce and begin working on the final
project.
Overview:
1.
Review social, political, and religious views before Rome declined.
2.
Discus new vocabulary and ideas.
3.
Discuss new social, political, economic and religious order.
4.
Introduce the division of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
5.
Analyze new information.
Notes:
Hand out the following when class begins:
Map 1, Map 2, Vocabulary Definitions, blank Social Hierarchy form, Compare/Contrast form, Final
Presentation Information.
Feudal Europe: Feudalism, Manorialism, and the Roman Catholic Church
Map 1:
Ancient Rome
(http://www.planetware.com/map/ancient-rome-map-i-ancrom.htm, accessed 2/3/12.)
Feudal Europe: Feudalism, Manorialism, and the Roman Catholic Church
Map 2:
Feudal Europe
(http://simeon-humanitiesblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/feudalism-and-manor-system.html, accessed 2/3/12.)
Feudal Europe: Feudalism, Manorialism, and the Roman Catholic Church
Discussion Guide 1
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Which location was built first? Why?
What does the first map tell you about Ancient Rome?
What does the second map tell you about Feudal Europe?
In which place would you rather live, and why?
What major changes do you think have occurred to society based on these maps?
Are there any other observations that you discussed in your groups you would like to share?
Discussion Guide 2
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What is the difference between a serf and a peasant? (A serf is the property of a lord.)
What is the difference between a serf and a slave? (A serf is part of the land on which they work and
stays with the land. They cannot be sold off of the land like a slave could be sold.)
What is an example of homage?
What does divine right tell you about the new feudal society? (Monarchy, religious importance,
obedience, hierarchical social order..."
Discussion Guide 3
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Review:
o Roman social order: rich, poor, slaves
o Roman religion: polytheistic and Christian. Christian division at the decline.
o Roman government: democracy, Caesar
Introduce:
o Feudal social order: review hierarchy chart
o Feudal religion: monotheistic
o Feudal government: monarchy
Discussion Guide 4
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Discuss how Christianity helped unify society.
o Effect on social order.
o Effect on political order.
Discuss the division between Christianity, the similarities, and the differences between the divisions.
o Roman Catholic.
o Eastern Orthodox.
Have class predict what changes will occur next in religion.
o Reformation.
o Migration to the new world.
o Religious wars.
o Islam.
Feudal Europe: Feudalism, Manorialism, and the Roman Catholic Church
Hierarchy Answers
God
Monarch
Lord
Peasant
Serf
Feudal Europe: Feudalism, Manorialism, and the Roman Catholic Church
Vocabulary Definitions
(http://dictionary.reference.com/, accessed 2/3/12.)
Feudalism: "Also called: feudal system. The legal and social system that evolved in W Europe in the 8th and
9th centuries, in which vassals were protected and maintained by their lords, usually through the granting of
fiefs, and were required to serve under them in war."
Manorialism: "The manorial organization, or its principles and practices in the Middle Ages."
Manorial: "The mansion of a lord with the land belonging to it."
Monarch: "A hereditary sovereign, as a king, queen, or emperor; a sole and absolute ruler of a state or nation."
Monotheism: "The doctrine or belief that there is only one God."
Orthodox: "Conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds of the early church."
Fief: "A tenure of land subject to feudal obligations; a territory held in fee."
Lord: "A person who has authority, control, or power over others; a master, chief, or ruler; a person who
exercises authority from property rights; an owner of land, houses, etc."
Vassal: "A person granted the use of land, in return for rendering homage, fealty, and usually military service or
its equivalent to a lord or other superior."
Serf: "A person in a condition of servitude, required to render services to a lord, commonly attached to the lord's
land and transferred with it from one owner to another."
Peasant: "A member of a class of persons... who are small farmers or farm laborers of low social rank."
Divine Right: "The doctrine that the right of rule derives directly from God, not from the consent of the people."
Homage: "Something done or given in acknowledgment or consideration of the worth of another."
Feudal Europe: Feudalism, Manorialism, and the Roman Catholic Church
Feudal Social Hierarchy
Word Bank:
Monarch
God
Serf
Lord
Peasant
Feudal Europe: Feudalism, Manorialism, and the Roman Catholic Church
Comparing and Contrasting Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy
Feudal Europe: Feudalism, Manorialism, and the Roman Catholic Church
Final Project Guidelines
Goal: Students will demonstrate analytical understanding of feudal society.
Due: Friday, February 10, 2012.
I. Students may work in small groups or 3-4 or individually.
II. The project may be written, verbal, or visual.
III. Topic choices:
 Social order
 Political structure
 Religion's effect on society
 A comparison of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy
 The differences between mono- and polytheism and their effects on society
 Define and explain theocracy and how it relates to feudal Europe
 Explain the importance of absolute monarchy and divine right and its effect on feudal Europe
 Other with approval
IV. General requirements:
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Use 2 sources other than your textbook.
Proper page and citation formatting as described in the syllabus.
V. Requirements for groups:
Written
Oral
Visual
3 pages or 10 slide PowerPoint and presentation
15 minute presentation or video
Art project and 1 page explanation or 3 minute presentation.
VI. Requirements for individuals:
Written
Oral
Visual
1 page or 4 slide PowerPoint and presentation
5 minute presentation or video
Art project and 2 paragraph explanation or 2 minute
presentation.
VII. Grading will be based on accuracy, presentation of information, participation, and style.