Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils study an aspect of British medieval history in depth. They learn about the social, economic, religious and political events that influenced the lives of those who lived in this period.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how the feudal system helped William control his kingdom.

Key Notes

• 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.

Vocabulary To Learn

• 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 Mistakes To Avoid

• Paying homage, swearing allegiance, or making promises were weak obligations.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Anglo-Saxon society Study Guide
• Bishop Odo of Bayeux Study Guide
• Change and continuity in Norman England Study Guide
• Claimants to the throne in 1066 Study Guide
• Earldoms and local government in Anglo-Saxon England Study Guide
• Edward the Confessor and the House of Godwin Study Guide
• Motte-and-bailey castles Study Guide
• Reasons for William's victory at the Battle of Hastings Study Guide
• Rewarding followers and the Marcher earldoms Study Guide
• The Anglo-Norman Church Study Guide
• The Anglo-Saxon economy and the role of the Church Study Guide
• The Anglo-Saxon monarchy Study Guide
• The Battle of Hastings Study Guide
• The battles of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge Study Guide
• The Harrying of the North Study Guide
• The legacy of Anglo-Saxon resistance Study Guide
• The Norman aristocracy Study Guide
• The Northern and East Anglian rebellions Study Guide
• The revolt of the earls in 1075 Study Guide
• The significance of Domesday Book Study Guide
• The submission of the earls in 1066 Study Guide
• The uprising against Earl Tostig Godwinson Study Guide
• William I and his successors Study Guide