EXPLORING LIFE, DEATH AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN MEDIEVAL TIMES Medieval people
Medieval writers divided people into three groups: ● Those who fought ● Those who worked and ● Those who prayed
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Identify the medieval people. Who fought? Who worked? Who prayed? Medieval society
What was the feudal system? Land was very important in the Middle Ages, as it meant wealth and power. The ownership and control of land was organised through feudalism or the feudal system. ● In medieval times, all the land was owned by the king. He needed help controlling and defending it. He got the help from his most powerful subjects – barons (lords) and bishops. He kept some land for his own use and gave the rest to the barons and bishops – who were his tenants-in-chief.
There was a ceremony for handing over the land (or fief, as it was called). The lord who was receiving the land knelt before the king and placed his hands in the hands of the king. He swore an oath to become a vassal of the king.
‘I will be your man from this day onwards. I shall be true and faithful to you for the lands I hold from you.’
The lord also promised: ● To fight for the king and provide him with knights.
The feudal system King
gave land to the barons
Gave
soldiers to the king
Who gave land to the knights
BARONS AND BISHOPS Gave
soldiers to the barons
Who gave land to the peasants
KNIGHTS Gave services
to their lord/ knight
KING
PEASANTS (VILLAGERS)
The barons and bishops gave land to the knights who promised: ● To fight for their lords and obey them.