During the Middle Ages, the feudal system was the primary form of social organization. Under feudalism all land was held by the king. Scattered throughout the king’s land were many small villages, each ruled by a noble or vassal who was granted this honor by the king in return for their help in fighting wars. Villages were filled with serfs (peasants) who farmed the land and gave a portion of their crops each year to the lord in return for protection and in payment for the use of the land.
Freemen who lived in towns worked for and took care of themselves. Guilds began as craftsmen formed partnerships based on their trades, and agreed to support one another in adversity and business.
In class activities:
- Created our own feudal system triangle using our chairs, and participated in assigned roles as food moved up toward the peak and land moved down toward the base.
- Discussed who truly had the most power during the middle ages (military leaders) and discovered the purpose for knights pledging loyalty to the king through a code of chivalry
- Reviewed the way that the church was intertwined with politics during this time period
- Made paper crowns (in-class for explorers, take-home for trailblazers)
- Signed our own pledge of loyalty and added it to our history notebooks
Optional lesson extension activities:
- Learn more about the age of chivalry
- Watch a video detailing the origins of the feudal system
- Two Disney movies took place during Medieval times: Robin Hood and The Sword and the Stone. Consider watching one and writing the names of the characters in the correct place in the feudal system hierarchy (worksheet)
Assignment due Nov. 1:
- Read History Card MA - 13 William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings
- Practice your timeline
