1. Today’s Learning Muscle
Year 9 GCSE History
Lesson January, January, 2019
Feudalism
Learning Gain: All learners will explore the concept of feudalism in Norman England.
Today we will:
Today’s Learning Muscle
Identify key features of feudalism
Explain the roles and responsibilities of different groups within the feudal system
Consider the significance of knights in Norman England.
Revise our understanding of the social structure in England.

2. Write down anything in GREEN.
When William became King of England, he introduced a new system of landownership – feudalism.
Feudalism is a system where Norman knights would own land in exchange for military service to the King.
There were four classes within the feudal hierarchy: the King, his Tenants-in-chief, their Under-tenants, and peasants.
Tenants-in-chief were granted land directly from the king and in return, they needed to produce a quota of knights for the king’s army.
The knights/vassals were granted land from the tenants-in-chief; they had to provide 40 days of military service per year.
Peasants would work as farmers on the vassal’s land as a way of paying rent.

3. Write down anything in GREEN.
Knights were important to William as he needed to keep control of England, and this meant he needed an army to put down rebellions or challenges to his rule.
During William’s rule, historians think there were around 6,000 knights in Norman England.
Knights were especially valuable because they fought on horseback and could easily defeat foot soldiers.

4. Include: Description Responsibilities Benefits of the role
Pairs Task
Using the information provided, create a job advertisement for the position
of Tenant-in-Chief
Include:
Description
Responsibilities
Benefits of the role
Images/diagrams
p. 60

5. Describe two features of feudalism and explain its importance.
Multi-structural
Explain how feudalism would have helped William maintain his power in England.
Relational
Would a peasant have noticed much of a change to their life when William became king? Explain.
Extended - Abstract

6. Try to match the key words with their definitions.
Plenary
Try to match the key words with their definitions.
Payment to the king in order to be able to claim it.
fief
A ceremony where a landholder promised loyalty to the king.
barony
homage
The lands held by a baron from the king.
A knight who held land in exchange for military service.
p. 60
vassal
Land held by a vassal in return for service to a lord – also called a “feud”
relief