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The Three Orders: NBSE Class 11 History answers
Get summary, textual answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF to NBSE Class 11 (Arts) History (Themes in World History) Chapter 7: The Three Orders. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them in the comments
Introduction
In this chapter, we explore the social, economic, and political transformations that occurred in Western Europe between the ninth and sixteenth centuries. Following the dissolution of the Roman Empire, various Germanic groups from eastern and central Europe settled in the regions of Italy, Spain, and France.
With no unifying political force, military conflicts became prevalent, and the necessity to secure resources for land protection intensified. Consequently, social organizations sought to exert control over land, adopting practices from both Imperial Roman traditions and German customs. The Christian Church also emerged as a major landholder and influential force in Europe.
We will examine three social classes in this chapter: (a) Christian priests, (b) landowning nobility, and (c) peasants. The evolving relationships between these three “Orders” played a crucial role in shaping European history for centuries.
We will specifically analyze how the three Orders functioned within the context of the three institutions they represented: Feudalism, Manorialism, and the Church. Firstly, we will discuss the characteristics, significance, growth, and eventual decline of feudalism in European history.
Textual questions and answers
Very short answer type questions
1. Who was Knight?
Answer: A Knight was a person who was granted a piece of land (called fief) by a Lord in exchange for military service.
2. What was the difference between feudalism in England and Europe?
Answer: In England, unlike Europe, no feudal lord could use his knights against the king. In England, the king did not depend upon feudal army alone. He asserted his right to call the national Militia or Fyrd at any time.
3. What were the functions of the monasteries in the medieval period?
Answer:
- They had landed estates.
- Schools or colleges and hospitals were also attached to the monasteries.
- The monasteries contributed to the development of the arts like music.
4. What was the main problem of Feudalism?
Answer: Feudalism was a centrifugal force. The king was the king of vassals, not the king of all the people. Each feudal lord was a prince and the people living in his estate were completely under his control.
5. Write one advantage of Feudalism.
Answer: The homage, fealty, personal service of the tenant, and protection of the tenants by their lords were all human ties which bound the man and the lord.
Short answer type questions
1. How did Feudalism begin in Europe?
Answer: After Charlemagne’s death in AD 814, his empire broke up under weak successors, leading to invasions. Central government collapsed, and laws were not enforced. To survive, customs formed into a system known as Feudalism. This system, based on land tenure and military organisation, developed as a way to maintain order during continuous warfare. Feudalism destroyed the idea of national unity, making the concept of an independent national state foreign to the Middle Ages.
2. Write the features or importance of feudalism.
Answer: Main Features of Feudalism:
- Terra Regis: The king owned all land, and tenants-in-chief held land under him, which could not be passed to their heirs without paying relief.
- No Land without its Lord: Every piece of land belonged to a lord, and services were provided to lords in exchange for protection.
- Commendation: Landholders had to perform personal services for their lords and needed permission to marry their children.
- Lord’s Privilege: Lords held courts for their tenants, including the king for tenants-in-chief.
- Services to Lords: Landholders owed military service, usually in the form of knight service.
3. What was the purpose of monasteries in the middle age?
Answer: The monasteries were large buildings. They had landed estates. Schools or colleges and hospitals were also attached to the monasteries. The monasteries contributed to the development of the arts like music. From the thirteenth century, some groups of monks called friars chose to move from place to place, preaching their faith and living on charity.
4. Write a short note on serfdom.
Answer: The serfs formed the bulk of population in a manor. They were “attached to the soil” of the manor. Much of the produce of this land went to the Lord. The serfs had also to work on the land which exclusively belonged to the Lord. They did not receive any wages for this work and could not leave the land without the Lord’s consent. The lord could give them any punishment except take away their lives and limbs. The lord’s claimed some monopolies at the expense of the serfs. For instance, serfs would use only their lord’s mill to grind their flour, his oven to bake their bread and his wines presses to make wine and beer. A serf could not marry without the permission of the Lord. It was the Lord who decided whom a serf should marry. He might give his blessings to the serf’s choice but only on payment of a fee.
5. What were the reasons for the weakness of feudalism?
Answer:
- Centrifugal Force: Feudal lords held power over their lands, weakening the king’s control.
- Revolts: Knights could revolt against the king, supporting their immediate lords.
- Judicial Power: Lords acted as judges for their tenants, often unfairly.
- Merit: Public office was not based on ability but on landholding.
- Serfdom: Serfs had little rights and were bound to the land.
- Military Issues: Knights only served for limited periods and were more loyal to their lords than the king, weakening the military system.
Long Answer Questions
1. Discuss the circumstances leading to the growth of Feudal system.
Answer: The Frankish Empire, founded by Charlemagne the Great, included practically the whole of western Europe except Spain and England. After his death in AD 814, the empire broke up under his weak successors due to the foreign invasions. During the turmoil of invasions, the whole of the structure of central government collapsed. Laws were not enforced, the strong robbed the weak, and trade died. During this confusion of the centuries since the fall of Rome, various customs had been growing up to enable men to live despite turmoils. In the utter confusion of the 9th century, these customs developed into a pattern of life known to us as Feudalism.
The martial races began to build up a new form of society and governmental organisation based on the old nomadic relationship between the tribal chiefs, heads of tribal families, mass of the tribes, and the conquered people. This organisation known as Feudalism was built up under the pressure of almost continuous warfare and represented essentially a military system, calculated to render the collection of armies and defence easy while yet providing a peaceful and settled life on the basis of land tenure. Feudalism was the natural outgrowth of many institutions and customs of Roman and Teutonic origin and grew up from both the bottom and the top simultaneously. Feudalism destroyed the conception of the national state by destroying its political unity, so the idea of an independent national state became foreign to the Middle Ages.
2. Describe the main features of Feudalism.
Answer:
- Terra, Regis, All Land belongs to King: According to this system, nobody except the king is the owner of the land. All those who have land, get it from the king directly or indirectly. Those who held land directly from the king were called tenants-in-chief. The tenants-in-chief used to give their lands to others and this system of sub-infeudation (giving portion of land to others) continued till it was held by the cultivators. So everybody down from the cultivator to the tenant-in-chief was a mere landholder—a tenant. He could not “bequeath” the land to his sons. When a tenant died, his successor could not succeed unless he paid relief or succession duty. Similarly, if a tenant died without leaving a heir, the land reverted to the Lord.
- No Land without its Lord: In the feudal system, every piece of land belonged to some lord. The landholders from bottom to top had to do several kinds of services to their respective immediate lords. There was not a single acre of land which was not held on some feudal principle.
- Commendation or Personal Services: A landholder in the feudal society had to do many personal services at regular intervals to his lord. He had to attend the knighting ceremony of the son of his lord and pay some money. He could not marry his sons and daughters without the approval of his lord. It must be noted that land did not belong to the landholder. He was simply having rights over it because he had agreed to perform the services. So the lord protected the landholder and in return, the landholder agreed to do certain specific services to the lord.
- Lord’s Privilege of Holding Court for his Immediate Landholders (sub-tenants): Every landlord had the privilege of holding a court for his immediate landholders. For example, the king, the chief feudal lord, held a court “Curia Regis” to try tenants-in-chief. Similarly, tenants-in-chief and the manorial lords held courts for their dependents.
- Services to the Lords: Every landholder was required to do some definite service to the immediate lord. The great part of the European countries was held on military service, i.e., the knight service.
3. Describe the three aspects of Feudalism namely, local government, army and justice.
Answer:
- Local Government: Feudalism was a form of decentralised government. The king had little direct control over the daily administration of his kingdom. Instead, local lords were given control over land in exchange for military service. They, in turn, ruled over their tenants and vassals. The local lords had considerable autonomy and were responsible for the law and order within their domains. They maintained courts, collected taxes, and enforced laws in the areas they controlled.
- Army: Feudalism was essentially a military system. The lords and their vassals were required to provide military service to the king. The land was held in exchange for military service, which meant that each vassal had to furnish a certain number of knights and soldiers to the king when called upon. The king did not maintain a standing army; instead, he relied on the military forces provided by his vassals, which could be called upon during times of war or external threat.
- Justice: In the feudal system, justice was administered at the local level by the lords. Each lord had his own court and was responsible for judging the disputes among his vassals and tenants. This decentralised system of justice meant that each lord acted as the judge in his domain, and legal decisions were based on local customs and traditions. In larger disputes, especially those involving important vassals or the nobility, the case could be taken to the king’s court. However, for the most part, justice was dispensed by the lords, and the decisions of the lord’s court were binding.
4. How did feudal system spread to important countries of the world?
Answer: Feudalism spread from France to Spain, Italy and later Germany and eastern Europe. In England, the Frankish (French) form was imposed by William-I (William the Conqueror) after AD 1066, although most of the elements of feudalism were already present in England. It was extended eastward into Slavic lands to the Marches (frontier provinces). It was adopted partially in Scandinavian countries. The important features of feudalism were similar throughout but there existed definite national differences. Feudalism continued to exist in all parts of Europe until the end of the 14th century.
The Asian countries also saw the development of feudal institutions. In Japan, the feudal system was well-ordered before the 10th century and it continued with modifications until the 19th century. In other areas such as China, where feudal practices were in existence by 1,100 BC, society became feudalistic but not precisely feudal. Feudalism in India and in the Sassanid and Ottoman civilisations was in many ways similar to western feudalism, but it proved less durable than the feudal system in Europe. The existence of feudalism in several civilisations has given rise to theories of feudalism as a necessary and inevitable stage of political development. Some scholars, however, consider the European feudal system a unique phenomenon.
5. What were the defects of the Feudal System?
Answer: In the first place, Feudalism was a centrifugal force. The king was the king of vassals not the king of all the people. Each feudal lord was a prince and the people living in his estate were completely under his control. Freeman aptly remarks, “While centrally feudalism made the sovereign a landowner, logically landowners became sovereigns”. In England, William I had tried to remove this defect by the Oath of Salisbury by granting lands at scattered places and by retaining his agent sheriff to keep an eye on feudal lords.
Secondly, in the ideal feudal system where the knights were to be loyal to the immediate lords, there was a great possibility of the revolts of the feudal lords. A few landlords could bring trouble for the king by asking their knights to follow them and fight against the king.
Thirdly, the other important defect of the system was that it gave judicial powers to the lords. Each lord acted as a judge for his tenants. For judges, it is essential that they must be impartial and should possess high legal qualifications. The feudal lords could never be expected to act impartially. In trying their tenants, the lords looked after their own interests. Besides, most of the lords were not even educated.
Fourthly, merit or ability was not the basis of selecting public officers in feudal countries. Lords determined the position of every person in society. A landless fellow, however intelligent, was not even considered a man and hence could not find any chance to serve the society with ability.
The position of the serfs (villeins) under the feudal system was very deplorable. They were bound to the soil. They could not get justice from the royal courts.
Lastly, the chief object of the feudal system was to maintain a large army without actually keeping a large standing army. But the military organisation of the feudal system was full of defects. The knights were to fight for 40 days and if the king needed soldiers beyond that time, several difficulties arose. The knights always showed more loyalty to their immediate lord than to the king. This further weakened the military system of the country.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The name of the 23-mile wide waterway between England and France is
A. Revolution Path
B. Jetty
C. English Channel
D. Monarchy
Answer: C. English Channel
2. Which Duke of Normandy, France, invaded England?
A. William
B. Louie Francis
C. Louis XVI
D. Sagarmatha
Answer: A. William
3. After winning the war with Britain’s, the king of Normandy established what form of government?
A. Feudalist
B. Nationalism
C. Democratic
D. Monarchy
Answer: D. Monarchy
4. What danger came in 1315-1317 in middle Europe?
A. Attack from the Mongols
B. Famine
C. Drought
D. Attack of the Huns
Answer: B. Famine
5. Which crisis affected Western Europe in the period of 1347 – 1350?
A. Attack of Mongols
B. Famine
C. Epidemic
D. Attack of the Huns
Answer: C. Epidemic
Competency Based Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Consider the following statements.
(i) The word Feudalism traces its origin to German word ‘Feud’.
(ii) Peasants provided labour to the Lord.
(iii) Control of the land was the centre of the middle age society.
Which statement(s) is/are correct in the above statement?
A. Only statement (i) is correct
B. Only statement (ii) is correct
C. Only statement (iii) is correct
D. All the above statements are correct
Answer: D. All the above statements are correct
2. Match the following and select the correct option:
Column A
A. Plague in Egypt
B. Slavery began in Portugal
C. Ottoman Turks won Egypt
D. Columbus reached West Indies
Column B
(i) 1442
(ii) 1492
(iii) 1517
(iv) 1348
Options:
A. A-(iv), B-(i), C-(iii), D-(ii)
B. A-(ii), B-(iv), C-(i), D-(iii)
C. A-(i), B-(iii), C-(ii), D-(iv)
D. A-(iv), B-(iii), C-(i), D-(ii)
Answer: A. A-(iv), B-(i), C-(iii), D-(ii)
3. Consider the following statements.
(i) Copernicus stressed on the importance of geography as well as history of mankind.
(ii) French society was divided into three sections.
(iii) In France the elite was neglected, they had no rights.
Which statement(s) is/are correct in the above statement?
A. Only statement (i) is correct
B. Only statement (ii) is correct
C. Only statement (iii) is correct
D. All the above statements are correct
Answer: B. Only statement (ii) is correct
4. Which was/were the feature(s) of feudalism?
(i) No land without tenant
(ii) Commendation of personal service
(iii) Service to the lords.
Which statement(s) is/are correct in the above statement?
A. (i) and (ii)
B. (ii) and (iii)
C. (i) and (iii)
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
5. Consider the following statements.
(i) The piece of land given to Knight by the Lord was known as fief.
(ii) There were four types of peasants.
(iii) Due to the progress in agriculture, cities and trade flourished.
Which statement(s) is/are correct in the above statement?
A. Only statement (i) and (ii) are correct
B. Only statement (ii) and (iii) are correct
C. Only statement (i) and (iii) are correct
D. All the above statements are correct
Answer: C. Only statement (i) and (iii) are correct
Case-based Question
Serfs cultivated plots of land, but these belonged to the lord. Much of the produce from this had to be given to the lord. They also had to work on the land which belonged exclusively to the lord. They received no wages and could not leave the estate without the lord’s permission. The lord claimed a number of monopolies at the expense of his serfs. Serfs could use only their lord’s mill to grind their flour, his oven to bake their bread, and his wine-presses to distill wine and beer. The lord could decide whom a serf should marry, or might give his blessing to the serf’s choice, but on payment of a fee.
1. Who cultivated the land of the landlords under the feudal system?
Answer: Serfs cultivated plots of land, but these belonged to the lord.
2. What were the obligations of the serfs?
Answer: Much of the produce from this had to be given to the lord. They also had to work on the land which belonged exclusively to the lord. They received no wages and could not leave the estate without the lord’s permission.
3. What monopolies were claimed by the lords at the expense of the serf?
Answer: Serfs could use only their lord’s mill to grind their flour, his oven to bake their bread, and his wine-presses to distill wine and beer.
4. What were the restrictions on the marriage of a serf?
Answer: The lord could decide whom a serf should marry, or might give his blessing to the serf’s choice, but on payment of a fee.
Pictorial Questions
1. Identify the following pictures and write their name.
Answer: (A) Cathedral; (B) Castle; (C) Manor House
Extra/additional questions and answers
1. Who occupied Italy, Spain, and France after the breakup of the Roman Empire?
Answer: After the breakup of the Roman Empire, many groups of Germanic people from eastern and central Europe occupied the territories of Italy, Spain, and France.
Q. Who founded the Frankish Empire?
Answer: The Frankish Empire was founded by Charlemagne the Great.
Q. What caused the breakup of the Frankish Empire?
Answer: The Frankish Empire broke up after Charlemagne’s death in AD 814 under his weak successors due to foreign invasions.
Q. What led to the development of Feudalism?
Answer: Feudalism developed as various customs grew during the centuries of confusion following the fall of Rome, enabling men to live despite turmoil and continuous warfare.
Q. What kind of society was Feudalism?
Answer: Feudalism was a society and governmental organisation based on land tenure, growing from both Roman and Teutonic origins, aimed at making the collection of armies and defence easier.
Q. What effect did Feudalism have on the concept of the national state?
Answer: Feudalism destroyed the conception of the national state by destroying its political unity, making the idea of an independent national state foreign to the Middle Ages.
Q. What is the meaning of the term ‘Feudalism’?
Answer: Feudalism is a system of society where land holding is the basis of the whole society. It is derived from the German word ‘feudo,’ meaning fief, and ‘vassalism,’ meaning holding something from a supreme lord.
Q. According to Williamson, what does Feudalism mean?
Answer: According to Williamson, Feudalism means the holding of land on conditions of service rendered to a superior.
Q. What was Terra Regis in Feudalism?
Answer: Terra Regis referred to the principle that all land belonged to the king, and landholders, from tenants-in-chief to cultivators, were merely tenants holding land from the king directly or indirectly.
Q. What were the effects of Charlemagne’s death on the Frankish Empire?
Answer: After Charlemagne’s death in AD 814, the Frankish Empire fell apart due to weak successors and foreign invasions. The structure of central government collapsed, laws were not enforced, and trade died. In this confusion, customs grew to enable survival, and these customs evolved into Feudalism. As a result of the continuous warfare, a military system developed, aiming to organise armies and defence while ensuring a settled life. This led to Feudalism, a system where landholding became central, and political unity was weakened, making the idea of a national state foreign to the Middle Ages.
Q. What were the main features of Feudalism?
Answer: The main features of Feudalism included:
- Terra Regis: All land belonged to the king, and landholders were tenants holding land on conditions of service.
- No Land without its Lord: Every piece of land was owned by a lord, and landholders had to perform various services for their lords.
- Commendation or Personal Services: Landholders had to provide personal services to their lords, such as attending ceremonies or seeking approval for marriages.
- Court Privilege: Lords held courts for their sub-tenants.
- Services to Lords: Landholders owed military or other specific services to their lords.
Q. What was the role of the Church in Feudalism?
Answer: The Church played a significant role in Feudalism, becoming a major landholder and a powerful force in Europe. It had its own laws, owned lands endowed by kings, and could levy taxes. The Church also influenced social customs, borrowing feudal traditions such as the act of kneeling while praying and using the term ‘lord’ for God. It collected one-tenth of the peasants’ produce and received endowments from the rich for religious and welfare purposes. Bishops, part of the religious nobility, owned vast estates, lived in palaces, and conducted religious ceremonies. The Church’s authority extended over social and political matters.
Q. What was the impact of Feudalism on the social and political structure of Europe?
Answer: Feudalism significantly impacted both the social and political structures of Europe. It established a hierarchical system where landholding was central, and power was distributed between various levels of lords, tenants, and cultivators. This decentralised power weakened the concept of a unified national state, as political unity was broken, and feudal lords held authority over their land and vassals, often independent of the king. The king remained at the top of the feudal pyramid, but real authority was fragmented among the nobles and lords who controlled large estates. The Church also became intertwined with Feudalism, as it held vast lands and wielded significant influence over both secular and spiritual matters. Over time, the development of Feudalism led to the formation of self-sufficient local economies and communities, as protection and survival depended on local resources and the feudal relationships between lords and vassals.
Q. How did Feudalism evolve, and what factors contributed to its rise?
Answer: Feudalism evolved during the centuries following the collapse of the Roman Empire as a response to continuous warfare, invasions, and political instability. Several factors contributed to its rise:
- The breakdown of central authority: After the fall of Rome, there was no effective central government, and local lords took over the administration and protection of their lands.
- The need for military organisation: In a time of frequent invasions and conflicts, Feudalism developed as a military system that made the mobilisation of armies and defence more efficient.
- Landholding as the basis of power: Land became the primary source of wealth and authority, and those who controlled land had both economic and political power.
- Influence of Roman and Germanic customs: Feudalism combined Roman traditions of land tenure with Germanic tribal structures, where leaders provided protection in exchange for service.
- The Church’s role: The Christian Church played a significant role in reinforcing the feudal order by becoming a large landholder and aligning itself with the ruling classes, further entrenching the system.
Q. Where did the monks live?
Answer: The monks lived in the Abbeys.
Q. What vows did the monks take?
Answer: The monks took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Q. How did monks spend their time?
Answer: Monks spent their time in prayers, study, and manual labour like farming.
Q. Who lived under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience?
Answer: Both monks and nuns lived under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Q. What kind of buildings were monasteries?
Answer: Monasteries were large buildings with landed estates and had schools, colleges, and hospitals attached to them.
Q. What was the role of friars?
Answer: Friars moved from place to place, preaching their faith and living on charity.
Q. When did some groups of monks begin to move around?
Answer: From the thirteenth century, some groups of monks called friars began moving from place to place.
Q. What did the Europeans still believe in despite being Christians?
Answer: Despite being Christians, the Europeans still believed in magic and folk traditions.
Q. What festivals did Christians celebrate?
Answer: Christians celebrated 25th December as Christ’s birth day and Easter marked the day of His resurrection.
Q. What were holy days for peasants?
Answer: Holy days (holidays) were days when peasants were not expected to work and could spend time having fun and feasting.
Q. What did devout Christians do during pilgrimages?
Answer: Devout Christians went on long journeys to shrines of martyrs or big churches.
Q. How did monks and nuns live in society?
Answer: Monks and nuns lived in religious communities separated from society. They followed vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and dedicated themselves to prayer, study, and manual labor, including farming. Monks lived in Abbeys, and there were separate abbeys for men and women. Both monks and nuns abstained from marriage and wealth. Their lives were centered on religious service, living in isolation from society, and engaging in various forms of labor. The system they followed was strict, focusing on religious devotion and community life within the Abbey.
Q. How were monasteries structured and what roles did they serve?
Answer: Monasteries were large buildings with landed estates, often including schools, colleges, and hospitals. They played an important role in the development of the arts, such as music. Monasteries contributed significantly to the cultural and intellectual life of medieval society. In addition to their religious functions, monasteries provided education, healthcare, and other social services. From the thirteenth century, some monks, called friars, chose a different path by moving from place to place, preaching their faith and relying on charity for sustenance.
Q. What role did the village or Parish play in religious life?
Answer: The village, referred to as a “Parish”, was the area under the supervision of one priest. In the Parish, the local church was central to village life. The villagers celebrated important Christian festivals such as Christmas and Easter, and holy days provided a break from work. These days were opportunities for the villagers to feast and enjoy themselves. Christians were also encouraged to go on pilgrimages to visit shrines or important churches. The church had a strong influence on both the spiritual and social life of the village, shaping the daily activities and festivities.
Q. What was vassalage and its role in feudal society?
Answer: Vassalage was the system in which land was controlled through a hierarchical structure. The king owned all the land in the kingdom and distributed it to nobles, who were called tenants-in-chief or vassals. These vassals were bound to the king through formal oaths and rituals, often held in a church. The vassals, in turn, let their land to sub-tenants. The system created a chain of lords and overlords, with land eventually reaching the actual cultivators. This arrangement defined the social and economic structure of medieval feudal society, with duties and obligations running between different levels of lords and vassals.
Q. What were the main components of the manorial system in medieval Europe?
Answer: The manorial system was a socio-economic structure that formed the backbone of feudal society in medieval Europe. The manor was a self-sufficient unit, consisting of the lord’s manor house, private fields, pastures, and the homes of tenant-cultivators. The majority of agricultural land was divided into these manors. The inhabitants of the manor produced almost everything needed for daily life, including food, tools, and other goods. Blacksmiths, carpenters, and stonemasons were essential members of the manor community, maintaining buildings, tools, and weapons. Women contributed by spinning yarn, weaving cloth, and performing various household tasks. Although self-sufficient in many ways, manors still relied on external sources for certain materials such as salt and metalwares. The manorial system was tightly interwoven with feudalism, as the lord of the manor was responsible for administering justice, protecting his tenants, and overseeing agricultural production. The peasants, in return, provided labor and military service when needed.
Q. What were the roles and responsibilities of knights in feudal society?
Answer: Knights held a significant position in feudal society, primarily as warriors and protectors. They received land, known as a fief, from a lord in exchange for military service. The knight’s fief typically included a house for the knight’s family, a church, and homes for his dependents, along with essential infrastructure such as a watermill and wine press. Peasants worked the land of the fief and contributed to the knight’s livelihood. Knights were expected to pay a fee to their lord and fight for him in wars. Knights also practiced fencing and military tactics in preparation for battle. In many cases, they served multiple lords, though their primary loyalty was always to their immediate lord. The knights’ role extended beyond combat; they were also expected to uphold chivalric values, such as protecting the weak and defending the faith. In later medieval periods, traveling minstrels would often sing tales of their bravery, further romanticizing the knights’ role in society.
Q. How did environmental and technological changes affect the relationship between lords and vassals?
Answer: Environmental and technological changes had profound effects on the social and economic relationships between lords and vassals. Between the 5th and 10th centuries, much of Europe was covered by forests, limiting available agricultural land. Peasants, unhappy with harsh working conditions, could easily flee to these forests. Additionally, Europe’s cold climate during this period led to shorter growing seasons and reduced agricultural output. However, by the 11th century, Europe’s climate had warmed, lengthening the growing season and increasing agricultural productivity. This allowed more land to be cultivated, leading to a shift in land use. Agricultural technology also advanced. The wooden ploughs, previously used by peasants, were insufficient for deep tilling. As technology improved, farming became more efficient, but the peasants were still burdened by the lords’ demands for more labor. The oppressive conditions led to passive resistance by the peasants, who focused more on their own fields and kept much of the produce for themselves. Conflicts over the use of common lands like pastures and forests also arose, as lords sought to treat these areas as private property while peasants viewed them as communal resources. These changes shaped the evolving dynamic between lords and vassals in medieval society.
Q. What changes occurred in agricultural technology during the 11th century?
Answer: During the 11th century, cultivators began using heavy new iron-tipped ploughs instead of wooden ones. This allowed deeper digging of the soil, helping better utilise the nutrients from the soil.
Q. How did harnessing of animals improve during the 11th century?
Answer: The method of harnessing animals improved by using a shoulder harness instead of a neck harness. This allowed animals to exert greater power in ploughing fields.
Q. How were animals’ feet protected during this period?
Answer: Horses were better shod with iron horseshoes, which helped prevent foot decay and enabled them to work more efficiently in the fields.
Q. What was the three-field system of rotation?
Answer: The three-field system divided a farmer’s land into three strips. Two strips were cultivated, while one strip was left fallow. This system allowed the land to regain fertility during its rest year.
Q. How did the three-field system benefit agricultural production?
Answer: The introduction of the three-field system increased food production, allowing more food to be grown from each piece of land and doubling production.
Q. What was the role of peas and beans in the new agricultural practices?
Answer: Peas and beans provided a protein-rich diet for people and served as a good source of fodder for animals, improving both human and animal nutrition.
Q. Why did lords take the initiative in setting up watermills and windmills?
Answer: Peasants lacked the financial resources to set up watermills and windmills, so the lords took the first steps in this direction, providing these technologies to improve agricultural efficiency.
Q. What change weakened the personal bonds between lords and vassals in the 11th century?
Answer: The expansion of the money economy weakened the bonds between lords and vassals. Money transactions became more common, and lords began demanding rent in cash instead of services.
Q. How did the introduction of money transactions affect agricultural prices in England?
Answer: The increasing use of money raised agricultural prices. In England, agricultural prices doubled between the 1200s and the 1320s, especially during times of poor harvests.
Q. What were the key factors leading to the growth of towns in the 11th century?
Answer: Several key factors contributed to the growth of towns during the 11th century:
- Expansion in agriculture led to increased population, trade, and town development.
- Peasants, having surplus grain, needed places to sell their produce and buy tools and cloth.
- Periodic fairs developed into small marketing centres, which gradually became towns.
- Towns typically had a town square, a church, and roads.
- Merchants built shops, homes, and offices where the town’s governing bodies could meet.
- Some towns grew around large castles, bishops’ estates, or churches.
Q. How did the guilds function in the new towns?
Answer: Guilds, or associations, played an essential role in the new towns. Each craft or industry was organised into a guild that:
- Controlled the quality, price, and sale of products.
- Every town had a “Guild Hall” where ceremonial functions were held.
- The heads of all the guilds met there formally.
- Guards patrolled the town walls for security.
- Musicians were called to play at civic processions and feasts.
- Inns were established to take care of travellers.
Q. What caused the slowing down of Europe’s economic expansion in the 14th century?
Answer: The economic slowdown of Europe in the 14th century was caused by:
- Climatic changes: Warm summers gave way to cold ones, reducing the growing season.
- Storms and ocean floods ruined farms, reducing government tax revenues.
- Pasture lands decreased, leading to fewer cattle.
- Famine occurred in Europe between AD 1315-1317 due to a lack of resources for the growing population.
- A shortage of silver led to a shortage of metal money, forcing governments to reduce the silver content of coins.
Q. What impact did the Black Death have on Europe in the 14th century?
Answer: The Black Death had a devastating impact on Europe:
- The bubonic plague spread via rats on ships, affecting Western Europe.
- It killed about 20% of Europe’s population between 1347 and 1350.
- Europe’s population dropped from 73 million in 1300 to 45 million by 1400.
- The plague particularly affected infants, the young, and the elderly.
- The epidemic, combined with the economic crisis, caused social dislocation and acute labour shortages.
Q. How did the changes in agricultural technology impact European society in the 11th century?
Answer: The changes in agricultural technology in the 11th century had profound impacts on European society. The use of iron-tipped ploughs allowed deeper digging, which improved the utilisation of soil nutrients. The shift to shoulder harnesses enabled animals to exert more power, increasing productivity. Additionally, the introduction of iron horseshoes prevented foot decay, allowing horses to work more effectively.
- The three-field rotation system significantly increased agricultural output, providing more food and allowing small landholdings to be cultivated with less labour.
- This led to an increase in the availability of food, which in turn improved diets and life expectancy.
- The surplus in food production enabled peasants to focus on other activities and contributed to the growth of towns, trade, and social structures.
- The establishment of watermills and windmills, often initiated by the lords, boosted efficiency in milling and pressing, further enhancing agricultural productivity.
Q. What were the causes of the economic crisis in Europe in the early 14th century?
Answer: Several factors contributed to the economic crisis in Europe in the early 14th century. One major cause was the change in climate, which saw colder summers that shortened the growing season, reducing the yield of crops. This, combined with storms and oceanic floods, destroyed many farmlands, diminishing the government’s income from taxes.
- Another factor was the shortage of pasture land, which reduced cattle numbers.
- Famine struck between AD 1315-1317 as the population outgrew the available food resources.
- A shortage of silver, particularly from Austria and Siberia, led to a shortage of metal money, forcing governments to reduce the silver content of coins, which further damaged trade.
- Lastly, the arrival of ships from distant lands introduced the Black Death, which killed a significant portion of Europe’s population, further exacerbating the economic crisis and causing widespread social and economic dislocation.
Q. How did the rise of “new monarchs” change the political landscape of Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries?
Answer: The rise of the “new monarchs” in the 15th and 16th centuries significantly altered Europe’s political landscape. These monarchs, like the kings of France, Austria, and England, were able to strengthen their military and financial power, establishing standing armies that no longer depended on feudal lords for support.
- With new forms of centralised governance, the monarchs introduced national taxation systems and permanent bureaucracies, further consolidating their power.
- The weakening relationship between feudal lords and vassals, as well as the slow rate of economic growth, provided an opportunity for these kings to assert control over their subjects.
- The introduction of professional armies, equipped with firearms and artillery, made the resistance of the feudal lords and nobility futile, as their power was overwhelmed by the firepower of the king’s forces.
- Although the nobility resisted this centralisation of power, many eventually shifted their loyalties to the monarchs in order to survive in the new system.
Q. Where did feudalism spread from France?
Answer: Feudalism spread from France to Spain, Italy, and later Germany and eastern Europe.
Q. When was feudalism imposed in England?
Answer: Feudalism was imposed in England by William-I (William the Conqueror) after AD 1066.
Q. What were the national differences in feudalism?
Answer: There existed definite national differences, even though the important features of feudalism were similar throughout Europe.
Q. How long did feudalism continue in Europe?
Answer: Feudalism continued to exist in all parts of Europe until the end of the 14th century.
Q. When was feudalism developed in Japan?
Answer: The feudal system in Japan was well-ordered before the 10th century and continued with modifications until the 19th century.
Q. What was the nature of feudalism in China?
Answer: In China, society became feudalistic but not precisely feudal, with feudal practices existing by 1,100 BC.
Q. How did feudalism in India and other civilisations compare to European feudalism?
Answer: Feudalism in India and in the Sassanid and Ottoman civilisations was similar to western feudalism but proved less durable than the feudal system in Europe.
Q. How did one nobleman become a tenant of another?
Answer: One nobleman (the vassal) became the tenant of another (the lord) by swearing homage and fealty.
Q. What rights came with holding land in the feudal system?
Answer: With the holding of land came the rights of governance and jurisdiction over those who dwelt on it.
Q. How was English feudalism different from French feudalism?
Answer: In England, feudal lords were never allowed to become very powerful and could not use their knights against the king, unlike in France.
Q. What power did the king retain in England?
Answer: In England, the king did not depend solely on the feudal army and could call upon the national Militia or Fyrd at any time.
Q. What was the key military flaw of feudalism?
Answer: The military organisation of feudalism was defective because knights only fought for 40 days, and they showed more loyalty to their immediate lords than to the king.
Q. How did feudalism extend eastward?
Answer: Feudalism extended eastward into Slavic lands to the Marches (frontier provinces). The Marches acted as a buffer zone for the Carolingian Empire, protecting it from invasions. The feudal system spread into these regions due to the need for local governance and protection, as the central authority could not exert full control over such far-flung areas. This process facilitated the adoption of feudal institutions across Eastern Europe, where a similar system of land tenure and military service developed over time, even though the specifics of feudal obligations and duties varied according to local customs.
Q. What were some of the national differences in feudalism?
Answer: Although feudalism had similar features across various countries, there were definite national differences. For example, in France, feudal lords held much power over their tenants and knights, while in England, the power of feudal lords was more restricted by the crown. In England, unlike in Europe, no feudal lord could use his knights against the king, and the incidents of feudalism, such as breadship and marriage, were less severe. Furthermore, the English monarch retained the right to call the national militia, known as the Fyrd, at any time, reducing dependence on the feudal army.
Q. What were the defects of the feudal system?
Answer: The defects of the feudal system were several:
- It was a centrifugal force, making feudal lords powerful princes within their estates, while the king was merely the ruler of vassals.
- Feudal lords often revolted against the king, especially as knights showed loyalty to their immediate lords rather than the crown.
- Judicial powers were granted to the lords, leading to biased and often uneducated rulings.
- Public officers were selected based on lineage rather than merit, undermining the capability of governance.
- Serfs, or villeins, had a deplorable status, being bound to the land and unable to seek justice.
- The military system was inefficient, as knights were only required to serve for 40 days, further weakening the overall defensive capability of the realm.
Q. What led to the decline of feudalism?
Answer: Several factors led to the decline of feudalism:
- The concentration of power in the hands of a few feudal lords weakened central authority.
- The rise of powerful monarchies in countries like France, Spain, and England diminished the influence of local feudal lords.
- Advances in communication and transportation, particularly in the 14th century, helped break down the isolated manorial system.
- The Black Death and Peasant Revolts shattered the socio-economic foundation of feudalism, as villeins demanded cash wages and refused to remain bound to the land.
- In England, the Wars of the Roses, gunpowder technology, and feudal measures by the kings further weakened the feudal system.
Q. How did William I attempt to address the defects of feudalism in England?
Answer: William I took several measures to address the defects of feudalism in England:
- He implemented the Oath of Salisbury, whereby his vassals pledged direct allegiance to him rather than to their immediate lords, thus strengthening the king’s authority over the feudal lords.
- William also scattered the lands he granted to feudal lords across various regions, preventing any single lord from becoming too powerful in one area. This practice ensured that no feudal lord could dominate a particular region or build up a concentrated power base that could challenge the king’s authority.
- William retained the role of sheriffs to act as royal agents, ensuring that the king’s interests were protected and that feudal lords could not exercise unchecked power over their territories. By keeping a watchful eye over the lords, William ensured that the central authority of the crown remained intact, limiting the decentralising tendencies inherent in the feudal system. This combination of measures allowed William to maintain control over his feudal lords, preventing the rise of powerful barons who could challenge his rule, as had occurred in other parts of Europe.
66. How did the rise of towns contribute to the decline of feudalism?
Answer: The rise of towns played a significant role in the decline of feudalism by disrupting the isolated manorial system that had been the foundation of feudal society. As communication and transportation improved in the 14th century, manors, which had been largely self-sufficient and cut off from wider economic networks, became more connected to emerging urban centres. This shift facilitated the growth of a new class of merchants, artisans, and tradespeople who were not bound by the traditional feudal hierarchy. These urban dwellers, often referred to as the “burgers class,” began to challenge the dominance of the feudal lords by asserting their independence and demanding greater economic and political freedoms.
In addition, the rise of towns created opportunities for serfs and villeins to escape the rigid structures of the feudal system. Many peasants, seeking better economic prospects and personal freedom, fled to the towns, where they could work for wages and enjoy a higher degree of autonomy. As more people left the manors, the feudal lords found it increasingly difficult to maintain their traditional labour force, which was essential for the cultivation of their lands.
Extra/additional MCQs
1. Which period saw social, economic, and political changes in Western Europe?
A. Between the 6th and 9th centuries AD
B. Between the 9th and 16th centuries AD
C. Between the 16th and 19th centuries AD
D. Between the 1st and 5th centuries AD
Answer: B. Between the 9th and 16th centuries AD
2. After the breakup of the Roman Empire, which groups occupied Italy, Spain, and France?
A. Celtic tribes
B. Germanic people from Eastern and Central Europe
C. Scandinavian Vikings
D. Moorish invaders from North Africa
Answer: B. Germanic people from Eastern and Central Europe
3. What was a significant result of no unifying political force in post-Roman Western Europe?
A. Economic prosperity
B. Military conflicts became common
C. Emergence of democratic governments
D. Cultural isolation
Answer: B. Military conflicts became common
4. Which institution became a major landholder and potential force in Europe after the Roman Empire’s fall?
A. The Byzantine Empire
B. The Christian Church
C. The Islamic Caliphate
D. The Mongol Empire
Answer: B. The Christian Church
5. What were the three social classes or categories discussed in the chapter?
A. Monarchs, merchants, and slaves
B. Knights, artisans, and peasants
C. Christian priests, land-owning nobility, and peasants
D. Nobility, clergy, and bourgeoisie
Answer: C. Christian priests, land-owning nobility, and peasants
6. Who founded the Frankish Empire?
A. William the Conqueror
B. Charlemagne the Great
C. Julius Caesar
D. King Arthur
Answer: B. Charlemagne the Great
7. Which territories did the Frankish Empire include?
A. All of Western Europe including Spain and England
B. Only France
C. Practically the whole of Western Europe except Spain and England
D. Eastern Europe and Asia Minor
Answer: C. Practically the whole of Western Europe except Spain and England
8. In which year did Charlemagne die?
A. AD 800
B. AD 814
C. AD 1066
D. AD 843
Answer: B. AD 814
9. What led to the breakup of the Frankish Empire after Charlemagne’s death?
A. Civil war among his heirs
B. Foreign invasions and weak successors
C. Economic collapse
D. Plague and famine
Answer: B. Foreign invasions and weak successors
10. During which century did Feudalism develop as a pattern of life?
A. 6th century
B. 9th century
C. 12th century
D. 15th century
Answer: B. 9th century
11. Feudalism was primarily a ______ system designed to render collection of armies and defense easy.
A. Economic
B. Religious
C. Military
D. Cultural
Answer: C. Military
12. The term Feudalism combines ‘feudo’ and ‘vassalism’. What does ‘feudo’ mean?
A. War
B. Fief, a piece of land
C. Lord
D. Service
Answer: B. Fief, a piece of land
13. In Feudalism, what was the basis of the whole society?
A. Trade
B. Landholding
C. Religion
D. Artisanship
Answer: B. Landholding
14. According to the feature of ‘Terra Regis’ in Feudalism, who owned all the land?
A. The peasants
B. The nobles
C. The king
D. The Church
Answer: C. The king
15. Those who held land directly from the king were known as:
A. Serfs
B. Tenants-in-chief
C. Mesne tenants
D. Vassals
Answer: B. Tenants-in-chief
16. The practice of tenants-in-chief giving portions of their land to others is known as:
A. Sub-infeudation
B. Vassalage
C. Serfdom
D. Manorialism
Answer: A. Sub-infeudation
17. If a tenant died without leaving a heir, what happened to the land?
A. It was divided among the peasants
B. It reverted to the lord
C. It became free land
D. It was seized by the Church
Answer: B. It reverted to the lord
18. In Feudalism, every piece of land belonged to some lord and there was not a single acre held without some feudal principle. This feature is described as:
A. Terra Regis
B. No land without its lord
C. Commendation
D. Knight service
Answer: B. No land without its lord
19. A landholder in feudal society had to perform personal services to his lord including attending ceremonies and paying money. This was known as:
A. Fealty
B. Commendation
C. Vassalage
D. Serfdom
Answer: B. Commendation
20. The king’s court to try tenants-in-chief was known as:
A. Curia Regis
B. House of Lords
C. Parliament
D. King’s Council
Answer: A. Curia Regis
21. Immediate lords under the king were called:
A. Serfs
B. Mesne tenants
C. Knights
D. Barons
Answer: B. Mesne tenants
22. Feudalism first came to which country?
A. England
B. Germany
C. France
D. Spain
Answer: C. France
23. Feudalism developed in England after the conquest by:
A. William Duke of Normandy
B. Charlemagne
C. King Henry VIII
D. Julius Caesar
Answer: A. William Duke of Normandy
24. In AD 800, the Pope gave which title to King Charlemagne?
A. King of Kings
B. Emperor of Europe
C. Holy Roman Emperor
D. Defender of the Faith
Answer: C. Holy Roman Emperor
25. The three orders or estates of society in France were:
A. Clergy, nobility, and peasantry
B. King, nobles, and merchants
C. Priests, warriors, and artisans
D. Lords, vassals, and serfs
Answer: A. Clergy, nobility, and peasantry
26. In feudal society, the great part of European countries was held on what type of service?
A. Agricultural service
B. Military service (i.e. knight service)
C. Religious service
D. Artisanal service
Answer: B. Military service (i.e. knight service)
27. The term ‘feudo’ originates from which language?
A. Latin
B. German
C. French
D. Greek
Answer: B. German
28. The practice where a tenant could not bequeath land to his sons without paying relief is an example of:
A. Sub-infeudation
B. Feudal incidents
C. Manorialism
D. Serfdom
Answer: B. Feudal incidents
29. Feudalism was an outgrowth of institutions and customs from which origins?
A. Roman and Teutonic
B. Greek and Persian
C. Celtic and Scandinavian
D. Slavic and Byzantine
Answer: A. Roman and Teutonic
30. The phrase ‘Terra Regis’ in feudalism means:
A. Land of the lords
B. Land of the peasants
C. Land of the king
D. Land of the Church
Answer: C. Land of the king
31. The ‘Feudal Pyramid’ refers to:
A. The hierarchy of the Church
B. The organisation of Feudalism from king to cultivators
C. The structure of medieval castles
D. The class system in ancient Egypt
Answer: B. The organisation of Feudalism from king to cultivators
32. The main reason Feudalism developed was:
A. To promote trade and commerce
B. Under the pressure of continuous warfare for the collection of armies and defence
C. To spread Christianity
D. To build monumental architecture
Answer: B. Under the pressure of continuous warfare for the collection of armies and defence
33. Which social class in the three orders prayed to God?
A. Nobility
B. Clergy
C. Peasantry
D. Merchants
Answer: B. Clergy
34. Which social class in the three orders fought?
A. Clergy
B. Nobility
C. Peasantry
D. Artisans
Answer: B. Nobility
35. Which social class in the three orders worked?
A. Nobility
B. Clergy
C. Peasantry
D. Knights
Answer: C. Peasantry
36. Feudalism destroyed the idea of an independent national state during which period?
A. Renaissance
B. Middle Ages
C. Industrial Revolution
D. Enlightenment
Answer: B. Middle Ages
37. In feudal society, the king granted land to nobles in exchange for:
A. Money
B. Military service
C. Religious conversion
D. Taxation rights
Answer: B. Military service
38. The feudal practice where the land did not belong to the landholder but he had rights over it because he agreed to perform services is known as:
A. Vassalage
B. Commendation
C. Serfdom
D. Manorialism
Answer: B. Commendation
39. Which of the following best describes Feudalism?
A. A centralized government with a strong king
B. A social system where landholding is the basis of society
C. A religious movement
D. A democratic political system
Answer: B. A social system where landholding is the basis of society
40. What is ‘vassalism’ in the context of Feudalism?
A. Holding land from a supreme lord
B. Peasant labour
C. Military conquest
D. Religious devotion
Answer: A. Holding land from a supreme lord
41. Which of the following statements is true about Feudalism?
A. It promoted national unity
B. It was an outgrowth of Roman and Teutonic customs
C. It discouraged military service
D. It allowed free movement of peasants
Answer: B. It was an outgrowth of Roman and Teutonic customs
42. What was the primary basis for the organisation of Feudalism?
A. Wealth accumulation
B. Religious hierarchy
C. Land tenure and military obligations
D. Democratic elections
Answer: C. Land tenure and military obligations
43. Under Feudalism, when a tenant died his successor could not succeed unless he paid what?
A. Taxes
B. Relief or succession duty
C. Military tribute
D. Tithes to the Church
Answer: B. Relief or succession duty
44. What did the immediate lords (mesne tenants) owe to their own immediate lords?
A. Religious service
B. Suit at his court, military or other service, and personal services
C. Nothing; they were independent
D. Only monetary payments
Answer: B. Suit at his court, military or other service, and personal services
45. In Feudalism, landholders had to get approval from their lords to do which of the following?
A. Travel abroad
B. Marry their sons and daughters
C. Engage in trade
D. Learn to read and write
Answer: B. Marry their sons and daughters
46. What is sub-infeudation in Feudalism?
A. The process of serfs buying their freedom
B. Tenants-in-chief giving portions of their land to sub-tenants
C. The practice of knights becoming lords
D. The Church acquiring land from nobles
Answer: B. Tenants-in-chief giving portions of their land to sub-tenants
47. Which country was formerly called Gaul and was once a province of the Roman Empire?
A. England
B. Germany
C. France
D. Italy
Answer: C. France
48. From which century was France ruled by Frankish/French kings who were Christians?
A. 4th century
B. 6th century
C. 9th century
D. 11th century
Answer: B. 6th century
49. Feudalism developed in England from the 11th century after the conquest by whom?
A. William the Conqueror
B. King Alfred the Great
C. Henry VIII
D. Richard the Lionheart
Answer: A. William the Conqueror
50. Which of the following was NOT a feature of Feudalism?
A. All land belongs to the king
B. No land without its lord
C. Landholders could freely sell their land without restrictions
D. Landholders owed services to their immediate lord
Answer: C. Landholders could freely sell their land without restrictions
51. The Church collected what share of the peasants’ produce?
A. One fifth
B. One quarter
C. One tenth
D. One third
Answer: C. One tenth
52. What vows did monks and nuns take?
A. Wealth, power, and loyalty
B. Poverty, chastity, and obedience
C. Silence, fasting, and pilgrimage
D. Marriage, service, and education
Answer: B. Poverty, chastity, and obedience
53. What term was used for the area under the supervision of one priest?
A. Diocese
B. Parish
C. Abbey
D. Manor
Answer: B. Parish
54. To which order did the nobles belong?
A. First Order
B. Second Order
C. Third Order
D. Fourth Order
Answer: B. Second Order
55. What title was given to nobles who were vassals of the king?
A. Barons
B. Dukes
C. Tenants-in-chief
D. Knights
Answer: C. Tenants-in-chief
56. What symbol represented the land given to a vassal by the king?
A. A crown
B. A written charter
C. A sword
D. A shield
Answer: B. A written charter
57. What was the Lord’s private house in a manor called?
A. Castle
B. Abbey
C. Manor House
D. Palace
Answer: C. Manor House
58. From which word is “manor” derived?
A. Mansion
B. Manorium
C. Manual
D. Manifest
Answer: A. Mansion
59. During which centuries was the average population of a manor about 150?
A. 9th and 10th
B. 11th and 12th
C. 13th and 14th
D. 15th and 16th
Answer: B. 11th and 12th
60. What system of crop rotation involved dividing land into three strips?
A. Two-fold system
B. Three-field system
C. Four-field system
D. Single-field system
Answer: B. Three-field system
61. What was the primary reason for the growth of new towns between AD 1200-1300?
A. Military expansion
B. Religious pilgrimages
C. Agricultural surplus and trade
D. Industrialization
Answer: C. Agricultural surplus and trade
62. What were the associations of townsmen that controlled the quality and price of products called?
A. Guilds
B. Unions
C. Societies
D. Councils
Answer: A. Guilds
63. What type of ploughs replaced wooden ploughs in the 11th century?
A. Steel ploughs
B. Iron-tipped ploughs
C. Bronze ploughs
D. Copper ploughs
Answer: B. Iron-tipped ploughs
64. What system did peasants adopt as a form of passive resistance against lords?
A. Revolts
B. Paying more taxes
C. Cultivating their own fields
D. Forming alliances
Answer: C. Cultivating their own fields
65. Which group in the feudal system was exempted from paying direct taxes?
A. Serfs
B. Freemen
C. Clergy and nobles
D. Knights
Answer: C. Clergy and nobles
66. What event led to the development of castles as centers of political administration in England?
A. The Crusades
B. The Norman conquest
C. The Black Death
D. The Hundred Years’ War
Answer: B. The Norman conquest
67. What was a common punishment a lord could impose on serfs?
A. Execution
B. Mutilation
C. Any punishment except death or limb removal
D. Banishment
Answer: C. Any punishment except death or limb removal
68. What was the primary purpose of water-powered and wind-powered mills established in Europe?
A. Grinding corn and pressing grapes
B. Milling iron and forging weapons
C. Pumping water and generating electricity
D. Sawmilling and textile production
Answer: A. Grinding corn and pressing grapes
69. What economic system began to weaken the personal bonds between lords and vassals in the 11th century?
A. Barter system
B. Money economy
C. Feudalism
D. Mercantilism
Answer: B. Money economy
70. What type of labor did peasants provide to support the lord’s estate?
A. Skilled craftsmanship
B. Unpaid manual labor
C. Administrative work
D. Military leadership
Answer: B. Unpaid manual labor
71. What was the primary reason peasants could not openly protest against lords?
A. Lack of organization
B. Fear of punishment
C. Support for the lords
D. Economic dependence
Answer: B. Fear of punishment
72. What type of buildings were attached to monasteries to support their functions?
A. Libraries and theaters
B. Schools and hospitals
C. Markets and inns
D. Fortresses and armories
Answer: B. Schools and hospitals
73. What economic change caused agricultural prices in England to double between the 1200s and 1320s?
A. Increased trade
B. Introduction of new crops
C. Expansion of the money economy
D. Population growth
Answer: C. Expansion of the money economy
74. What was the main reason for the growth of periodic fairs in towns?
A. Religious celebrations
B. Military gatherings
C. Trade and sale of surplus grain
D. Political meetings
Answer: C. Trade and sale of surplus grain
75. What economic system connected the king, nobles, and serfs through land ownership and obligations?
A. Capitalism
B. Socialism
C. Feudalism
D. Communism
Answer: C. Feudalism
76. In which century did the construction of large Cathedrals in France begin?
A. 10th century
B. 12th century
C. 14th century
D. 16th century
Answer: B. 12th century
77. By what year was Europe’s population reduced to approximately 45 million due to the Black Death?
A. 1300
B. 1350
C. 1400
D. 1450
Answer: C. 1400
78. In which year did the peasant revolt occur in England?
A. AD 1323
B. AD 1358
C. AD 1381
D. AD 1400
Answer: C. AD 1381
79. Which English king organized a standing army contributing to the rise of “new monarchs”?
A. King Henry VII
B. King Charles I
C. King Louis XIII
D. King William I
Answer: A. King Henry VII
80. During which years did the Black Death cause approximately 20% population decline in Europe?
A. 1315-1317
B. 1347-1350
C. 1400-1405
D. 1500-1503
Answer: B. 1347-1350
81. What did the Anglo-Saxon Great Council in England eventually develop into?
A. The Estates General
B. The Senate
C. The House of Lords
D. The Parliament
Answer: D. The Parliament
82. What could the king of England call at any time, limiting feudal lords’ power?
A. Feudal army
B. Knights’ allegiance
C. National Militia or Fyrd
D. Great Council
Answer: C. National Militia or Fyrd
83. What was one economic effect of the population decrease in Europe due to the Black Death?
A. Increased agricultural prices
B. Decreased wage rates
C. Shortage of labour leading to increased wage rates
D. Excess of laborers leading to lower wages
Answer: C. Shortage of labor leading to increased wage rates
84. Which monarchies rose to power by breaking down local feudal organizations?
A. Monarchies in Asia
B. Monarchies in France, Spain, and England
C. Monarchies in Scandinavia
D. Monarchies in Eastern Europe
Answer: B. Monarchies in France, Spain, and England
85. What was one of the greatest merits of feudalism according to Davis?
A. Based on economic transactions
B. Based on mutual love and loyalty
C. Based on centralized authority
D. Based on military strength
Answer: B. Based on mutual love and loyalty
86. How did the development of communication contribute to the decline of feudalism?
A. It strengthened isolated manors
B. It assisted the rise of towns and the bourgeoisie
C. It centralized feudal power
D. It reduced the influence of merchants
Answer: B. It assisted the rise of towns and the bourgeoisie
87. How did new monarchs in Europe primarily finance their large armies?
A. Feudal lords provided soldiers
B. Taxation of serfs
C. Patronage and loans from merchants, traders, and bankers
D. Tribute from vassals
Answer: C. Patronage and loans from merchants, traders, and bankers
88. What feature of Cathedrals narrated the stories in the Bible?
A. Frescoes on walls
B. Stained glass windows
C. Stone carvings
D. Wooden panels
Answer: B. Stained glass windows
89. What was Europe’s population around 1300?
A. 45 million
B. 60 million
C. 73 million
D. 100 million
Answer: C. 73 million
90. Until which year did feudalism persist in Russia?
A. 1789
B. 1848
C. 1917
D. 1660
Answer: C. 1917
It really helpful….
As we don’t get long type and essay time answers from our lecture.
Thankyou so much..❣️❣️