Question 1: Define the term 'feudalism' and explain its significance in medieval Europe.

Answer: Feudalism was a hierarchical system where land was exchanged for loyalty and service. It structured medieval society, defining the relationships between kings, nobles, knights, and peasants.

Question 2: Describe the role and responsibilities of a lord within the feudal system.

Answer: A lord owned large areas of land, protected his vassals, and provided land to peasants in exchange for their service and loyalty.

Question 3: Explain the relationship between a knight and a noble during feudal times.

Answer: Knights were vassals to nobles, providing military service in return for land or protection. They swore loyalty and followed the noble's commands.

Question 4: Identify and describe the main duties of a peasant or serf in a feudal manor.

Answer: Peasants worked the lord’s land, paid rent or goods, and provided labour. They had limited rights and were bound to the manor.

Question 5: Discuss how the feudal system affected the daily life of someone living in a medieval village.

Answer: People's lives revolved around the manor, working on farms, paying rents, and following the lord’s rules. Their safety and livelihood depended on the land and their lord.

Question 6: Draw a diagram illustrating the hierarchical structure of feudal society. Label each level and describe the relationships between them.

Answer: A pyramid diagram with at the top the King, below him the Nobles/Lords, then Knights, and at the bottom Peasants/Serfs. The diagram should show the flow of land, loyalty, and protection from top to bottom.

Question 7: Explain why feudalism was a useful system for medieval European rulers.

Answer: It provided a decentralized way to manage land and security, ensured loyalty from nobles and knights, and maintained order in a time of frequent invasions and chaos.

Question 8: Identify two ways in which a manor was self-sufficient during the medieval period.

Answer: Manors produced their own food through farming and livestock, and they made necessary goods like tools and clothing locally.

Question 9: Describe what a typical medieval castle might look like and its purpose within the feudal system.

Answer: A castle was a large stone fortress with thick walls, towers, and a moat, designed for defence and as a residence for the lord and his family.

Question 10: Explain how the system of vassalage worked between a lord and his vassal.

Answer: A vassal pledged loyalty and military service to a lord in exchange for land or protection. This relationship was formalized through ceremonies and oaths.