1. THE
FEUDAL
SYSTEM
LO: To explain why William introduced the Feudal System to England.
To describe how the Feudal system worked.

2. STARTER The man sitting down in King William I – William the Conqueror
Can you identify the man sitting down?
What is happening in this picture?
The man sitting down in King William I – William the Conqueror
The man kneeling down is a Norman lord – he is swearing to be loyal to William.

3. What sorts of problems did William face once he was crowned king of England?
I CANNOT TRUST THE SAXON LORDS TO CONTROL THE COUNTRY FOR ME.
I NEED TO COLLECT TAXES BUT I DON’T KNOW WHO OWNS WHAT.
IF I DON’T STOP THE REBELS IN THE NORTH THEY WILL SUPPORT A VIKING REBELLION.

4. You have already seen that William built castles all around England to help him control the land and its people.
William also introduced a new social system into England. It was called the Feudal System.

5. How did he create the system?
The Domesday Book: “Day of Judgement”
Recorded how many people live in each shire (county), what they owned (land and animals) how much land was being farmed, and how much was it worth?
Could he charge higher taxes to those living on land he had not granted them?

6. Based on the 3 F’s

7. 1.) Fief Land was the basis of all wealth
Given to nobles in exchange for loyalty to the king

8. 2.) Fealty
Loyalty between nobles and king sealed by an oath. Obligations upheld by the nobles in return for king’s protection and justice
Serve in army (~40 days), supply other knights to army, serve in king’s court, give political advice, supply money

9. 3.) Faith
All of society was to believe in the Catholic faith. In doing so, taking an oath of loyalty would be bound by religious faith. Breaking this bond would be a sin.

10. HOW DID THE FEUDAL SYSTEM WORK?
KING
BISHOPS
BARONS
(nobles)
KNIGHTS
(nobles)
ABOVE ALL THIS WAS GOD!
Freeholders/
Serfs (lower class)

11. The Feudal Contract
Oath of Loyalty: Swearing allegiance (loyalty) to the king, or to someone of higher class.
Oath to king comes with obligations:
All nobles would serve in the army for certain amount of days (around 40)
Supply king with additional knights during war time
Nobles would serve in King’s court, give political advice
Give King money on certain occasions: marriage of oldest daughter, son is knighted