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For centuries, feudalism was a way of life in Western Europe. Under feudalism,
powerful lords divided their landholdings among vassals, or lesser lords, in
exchange for service and loyalty. Everyone from the poorest peasant to the richest
king was touched in some way by feudal relationships. In this excerpt from the
1200s, a vassal promises his loyalty to a more powerful lord. ♦ As you read, think
about the different relationships that people can have with others. Then, on a separate sheet of
paper, answer the questions that follow.
1. Which person in the excerpt is the vassal?
Who are the greater lords?
3. Analyze Information What weakness in the
feudal system does John of Toul’s pledge
show?
2. If the count of Grandpré helped another person who had a quarrel with the count of
Champagne, what did John of Toul pledge to
do?
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The feud between the Church and the Holy Roman emperor over the practice of lay
investiture divided Europe in the late eleventh century. The issue came to a head on
February 22, 1076, when Pope Gregory VII issued a decree excommunicating Henry
IV. ♦ As you read, think about the consequences the act of excommunication had on Henry.
Then, on a separate sheet of paper, answer the questions that follow.
1. What reasons does Gregory give for excommunicating Henry IV?
2. How does Gregory expect other Christians to
act toward Henry?
3. Make Inferences What were the consequences of excommunication for Henry?
Name
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Letters written by people who experienced events are valuable sources of knowledge about history. The following excerpt is from a letter written by a French knight named Sir Guy. Sir Guy
took part in the attack on the Egyptian city of Damietta during the Sixth Crusade in 1249. The
attackers were led into battle by the French king Louis IX. In this excerpt, Sir Guy describes the
Crusaders’ coast landing and assault on the city. ♦ As you read, think about the accuracy and
reliability of Sir Guy’s account. Then, on a separate sheet of paper, answer the questions that follow.
1. How did the two or three Crusaders who
were not killed by the Saracens die?
2. Why were some of the Saracens’ prisoners
able to escape?
3. Detect Bias How does Sir Guy show his bias
against the Saracen fighters? How accurate
and reliable do you think Sir Guy’s account
is? Explain.
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Trade helped to build wealthy states and cities on the coast of East Africa. Travelers and traders,
mostly Muslims, wrote glowing descriptions of these lively trading centers. Late in the 1400s,
traders from Portugal also made their way to East Africa and soon destroyed the Swahili centers. One Portuguese trader, Duarte Barbosa, however, wrote his impressions of the cities as he
first saw them, about 1500. ♦ As you read, try to imagine the surprise of European traders seeing East
African culture for the first time. Then, on a separate sheet of paper, answer the questions that follow.
1. What are some of the goods that the people
of these cities traded? What religions do they
follow? What languages do they speak?
2. Draw Conclusions What would you conclude
was Barbosa’s reaction to what he saw in the
East African cities? What things did he notice?