the feudal system

Cards (20)

  • William gave 25 per cent of the land to the Church
  • England was too large for him to manage by himself

  • A system of land control where land is lent to people in return for their loyalty
  • Lend land
    Give land to someone in return for their loyalty
  • Feudal system
    1. William lends land to barons
    2. Barons receive several pieces of land dotted around England
    3. Barons can't build up large armies in the same area
    4. Barons become too powerful, they might rebel against William
  • King William said that all the land in England belonged to him
  • William kept around 20 per cent of the land for himself and his family to use
  • The rest of the land was lent to people who had helped him in the Battle of Hastings or who were his loyal supporters from Normandy
  • Villeins
    At the bottom of the system - everyone was his or her lord
  • Feudal system
    The owner of all the land was the king
  • William had a constant supply of money rolling in from his barons
  • The barons got their money by giving away some of their land to knights
  • Even though most of the land was being used by other people, nearly everyone was loyal to him
  • Knights were very loyal to the barons
    Barons could take their land away
  • William still managed to own all the land
  • Barons
    Gave land to the knights, who paid taxes and fought for him when required
  • Knights
    Well-trained soldiers who were very loyal to the barons because if they weren't, the barons could take their land away
  • Peasants
    Loyal to the knights, but he was also loyal to the baron and the king
  • Barons gave land to knights
    Knights paid taxes to the barons
  • Knights shared much of their land with the peasants
    Peasants farmed the land, and gave a portion of their crops and paid taxes to the knights