feudal refers to a hierarchical social system where people receive land to live and work on from those higher than them, and in return have to work and fight for them

paying homage was to publicly submit and swear an oath of fealty (loyalty) to someone above you in the feudal system

an overlord in the feudal system was someone who granted land in return for service

a vassal in the feudal system was someone who provided a service (e.g. labour) to an overlord in return for land

a fief was a parcel of land given by an overlord to a vassal in return for their service to their overlord

The feudal system in Norman England

History

Pupils know about changes to English government under the Normans

Anglo-Saxon and Norman England: how did Norman government impact England?

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Which of these terms is used in history to mean things staying the same?

Which of these key terms refers to a social system in which people received land in return for providing services, such as military service or working the land?

the ability of some landholders to buy and sell their land freely

the monarch's ability to grant land to reward their followers

the importance of the Church as a major landholder

Which of these are differences between Anglo-Saxon society and society in Norman England?

What position in Norman society was held by someone like Odo of Bayeux, a large landholder who received his land direct from king?

Complete the caption to this image: A medieval illustration of the act of...

forfeiture gave him the power to punish those who disobeyed him

homage gave vassals more of a say in how Norman England was governed

knight service provided him with military power to put down opposition

labour service made peasants wealthier and more likely to support William

In which of these ways did the feudal system help William control England?

English and Norman forces cooperated to stop the revolt.

The Church excommunicated the earls which stopped the revolt.

William led an army and defeated them in battle.

Why did the revolt of the earls in 1075 fail?

He was imprisoned for life while the others were pardoned.

He was banished while the others were imprisoned.

He was executed while the others' lives were spared.

What was different about Waltheof's punishment compared to that of the other two rebel earls of 1075?

a fortified place, often found in East Anglia, containing troops

a lord appointed to guard the border territories of Wales and England

a person who rules a country for a limited period, because the monarch is absent

How many Danish ships arrived to support the rebels in 1075?

he could now rely on Anglo-Norman leadership to keep England secure 

he could now see that Anglo-Norman leadership wasn't effective against the Danes

he could now see that Anglo-Norman leadership was divided and weak

What did the 1075 revolt demonstrate to William whilst he was away in Normandy?

Where did the three earls hatch their plot to rebel against William in 1075?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz