Name __________________________________________ Date ______________ Class _______________
Feudal Society
Chapter
24
FOCUS ON IDEAS
Fill in the blanks to form a summary of Chapter 24. You will find some of the proper terms listed below. For
other words, you may need to use your textbook.
castle
central
duty
emperors
enlarged
fief
five
horseback
kings
loyalty
merchants
methods
military service
money payments
peasants
serfs
During the Middle Ages, western Europe had no____________________ government to keep the
peace. __________________ were weak and depended on nobles for food, horses, and soldiers. The
nobles owned much of the __________________ and became independent rulers. They raised their
own __________________ and enforced the law in their territories.
A more complex system of government developed known as __________________. It was based on
strong feelings of __________________ and __________________ among all nobles. A vassal gave
______________________________________________________. In return, the lord promised to protect
his vassal and gave him an estate called a(n) __________________. Almost all nobles were knights, or
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
warriors on __________________. A noble began his training for knighthood at the __________________
of a great lord. If he proved to be a good fighter, a young noble was made a knight in a ceremony
known as __________________.
Most people were ____________________ who worked the land. The land was divided into
__________________, or farming communities. A group known as __________________ were bound to
the land. They spent three days of the week working in the lord’s fields. Another group, known as
freemen, paid __________________________________________________________. By the 1200s, better
farming __________________ were used. As a result, fields were __________________ and more food
was grown.
Activity Book
Human Heritage
107
Name __________________________________________ Date ______________ Class _______________
USING VOCABULARY
Chapter 24
Read the clues given and write the correct word or phrase on the line before its clue. Then, find and circle the 22
words and 2 phrases in the puzzle. The words in the puzzle are spelled horizontally, vertically, in backward
order, or around corners.
Word or Phrase
Clue
people who worked the land or served the nobles
pledge of loyalty given by a vassal to a lord
high wooden fence
special contest for knights
religious leaders
war-horses
contest of strength using blunt lances
peasants who paid the lord for the right to farm the land
a farming community
an official who made sure the peasants worked hard
ceremony to become a knight
teenager training for knighthood
noblewomen
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tall castle tower
rules for knights
sword holder
official who looked after the lord’s fiefs
noble who served a lord or higher rank
feudal estates
government by land-owning nobles
fortress built of stone
heavy iron gate
warriors on horseback
a very young boy who helped the knights
108
Human Heritage
Activity Book
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Name __________________________________________ Date ______________ Class _______________
SEPARATING FACT FROM OPINION
Read each of the following statements about feudal society and decide whether it is a fact or opinion. In the space
provided, write “O” for opinion and “F” for fact.
1. Cooperation was important in feudal life.
2. Feudalism was an excellent way to organize a society.
3. Nobles protected their estates.
4. Feudal society consisted of nobles, clergy, peasants, and townspeople.
5. The nobles were the most important group in feudal times.
6. The peasants lived on manors.
Activity Book
Human Heritage 109
Name __________________________________________ Date ______________ Class _______________
WORKING WITH DIAGRAMS
1.
In what part of the castle might the lord and his family live?________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2.
In what part would the large feasts be held? _____________________________________________
3.
In times of attack where might the guards be stationed? ___________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
4.
Where might the serfs or peasants work in this castle? _____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
5.
If you were a spy against the lord, how would you use this plan to assist your work? _________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
6.
How wide is the Great Hall? ___________________________________________________________
How long is it? _______________________________________________________________________
110 Human Heritage
Activity Book
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
During the Middle Ages, castles served as both homes and fortresses for the nobility. Use the diagram of the castle to answer the following questions.