Prof. Mariluz Maldonado Rodríguez History 2nd Secondary School

Read the text and listen to your teacher / language assistant

The origin of feudalismAfter the Carlemagne Empire, Europe was divided into numerous kingdoms. The kings were very weak. They had no armies and could not protect their lands.

As peasants could not depend on the king's protection, they turned to the nobles for help. Nobles had their own armies and castles. In exchange for protection, the peasants had to work for the nobles, and submit to their authority. The became the nobles' serfs.

Feudalism: a new social systemUnder feudalism, great nobles had complete control over their lands. The king's power was limited to the lands he controlled directly.

Barons governed in the king's name in exchange for a fief or manor. The barons became the king's vassals by accepting the king's supremacy. They did this at a ceremony where they paid homage to the king and swore allegiance to him. They promised to govern the land that the king gave to them, and to provide troops and fight for the king when necessary.

These lords could also have vassals, who were usually nobles of a lower rank. They swore allegiance to their lord and received a smaller fief.

In theory, a chain of personal ties was formed, which linked the king with the nobles.

However, there were frequent wars in this period. Sometimes, the nobles fought against the king or against other nobles. At other times, the king tried to take a noble's land by force.

The powers of the king and his courtUnder feudalism, the king's power was very limited.

The court was formed by a group of lawyers, clergy and soldiers. They helped the king to govern. Their decisions usually only affected the king's lands.

The king's army was small. Defence depended on his vassals' private armies. When his kingdom was in danger, the king called on the nobles for help.

The king's main income came from his fiefs and from some towns. He could not charge taxes in his vassals' lands. In special circumstances, such as wars or marriage agreements, the king received help from the Church and important nobles.

Did you know?Many kings received a cognomen, or a nickname,

referring to aparticular feature or even relatedto them, for example, William the Conqueror, Ethelred the Unready, or Ricard the Lionheart.

Prof. Mariluz Maldonado Rodríguez History 2nd Secondary School

Describe the illustration

Match the words and the definitions.

serf fief vassal

A. Land granted to a noble by the king or a higher noble.

B. A person who received land from the king or a higher noble in return for homage.

C. A member of the lowest feudal class obliged to work for a noble.

Read the sentences. What do they refer to?

a. Under feudalism, the king did not have much of this: __________________________________

b. It was formed by a group of lawyers, clergy and soldiers: _______________________________

c. It was not very big: ______________________________

d. The king asked them to help him when his kingdom was in danger: _______________________

Think and discuss:

a. Who are the people in the illustration?

b. What do you know about King Arthur and his legend?

c. Have you seen any film or read any books about King Arthur?