Feudalism in Medieval Europe

Flashcards about feudalism in medieval Europe

Feudalism

A hierarchical society where the king owned most of the land and distributed it to lords, who then leased it to peasants and serfs.

Fiefs

Units of distributed land during feudalism.

Vassals

Nobles who received fiefs from the king.

Homage

The process of becoming a vassal, involving swearing loyalty to the lord.

Fealty

Loyalty sworn by a vassal to their lord.

Suzerain Vassals

Vassals who are given land and have more like small villages and independent communities

Tenant Vassals

Owners of fiefs who could provide military service or a percentage of revenue.

Serfs

Unfree laborers tied to the land who worked for the lord and did not earn wages.

Manorial System

The relationship between landowners or tenants and serfs.

Domesday Book

A comprehensive list of landowners, property, tenants, and serfs in medieval Norman England, compiled under William the Conqueror.

Black Death

A factor that caused dramatic population decline and peasant revolts, leading to a labor shortage and weakening feudalism.