The feudal system in Norman England
I can explain how the feudal system helped William control his kingdom.
The feudal system in Norman England
I can explain how the feudal system helped William control his kingdom.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The strict conditions for holding land from the king became known as the feudal system.
- The feudal system made landholding less secure than it had been under Anglo-Saxon kings.
- A key relationship in the feudal system was between a vassal and their overlord.
- Holding land came with obligations such as paying homage, providing knight service or labour service.
- The feudal system increased William’s power and control over England.
Keywords
Feudal - 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
Homage - paying homage was to publicly submit and swear an oath of fealty (loyalty) to someone above you in the feudal system
Overlord - an overlord in the feudal system was someone who granted land in return for service
Vassal - a vassal in the feudal system was someone who provided a service (e.g. labour) to an overlord in return for land
Fief - a fief was a parcel of land given by an overlord to a vassal in return for their service to their overlord
Common misconception
Paying homage, swearing allegiance, or making promises were weak obligations.
In fact, these promises are with the king and God. It was unlikely you would break a public and spiritual promise like this. It would not be good for your reputation or your soul!
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: The feudal system in Norman England, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: The feudal system in Norman England, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Anglo-Saxon and Norman England: how did Norman government impact England? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
