Term 4 History Notes

START FROM 1066 when the Viking Era Ended and Middle Ages started 

What was the Feudal System? 

- Introduced to England following the invasion and conquest of the country by William I
(The Conqueror)
- Had been used in France by Normans from the time they settled in about 900 AD.
- Simple but effective system where all land was owned by the King. one quarter was kept
by the king as his personal property, some was given to the church and the rest was
leased out under strict controls.

How It Worked 
- It was a system in which each level had an obligation to someone else
- To rule and protect his kingdom, the King relied on the support of his nobles and Lords.
- To keep this support, he granted them land, usually a large area that was called a fief.
- In return, each lord (or baron) became a vassal (a person who owes service or loyalty to
another) to his king.
- The baron would keep land for himself and divide the rest with other lesser lords and
these in turn now had an obligation to their greater lord
- The lesser lords ruled an area that was usually consisted of a number of smaller
communities called manors.
- They also ruled the peasant farmers who were called serfs.
- The serfs did not own land but survived by working the land on behalf of their lord.
Features of The Feudal System 
- It created a stable social class system where each person had his or her place- born into
a social class.
- A person’s power and wealth was based on the ownership of land.
- This system of organisation and control helped Kings become stronger and provided
people with a sense of protection.
- It also placed many restrictions and controls on the ways people lived their lives.
- It did not create a stable political system. The king was always aware of the dangers to
him from other lords.
- Led to the building of castles- as a symbol of authority and protection for the people at a
time of attack.

The King
- The king was in control under the Feudal System.
- He owned all the land in the country and decided who he would lease land to. He
therefore only allowed those men he could trust to lease land from him.
- However, before they were given any land they had to swear an oath to remain faithful to
the King at all times.
- The men who leased land from the King were known as Barons, they were wealthy,
powerful and had complete control of the land they leased from the King.

Barons/Nobles
- Barons leased land from the king which was known as a manor.
- They were known as the Lord of the manor and were in complete control of this land.
- They established their own system of justice, minted their own money and set their own
taxes.
- In return for the land they had been given by the King, the Barons had to serve on the
royal council, pay rent and provide the king with Knights for military service when he
demanded it.
- They also had to provide lodging and food for the king and his court when they travelled
around the country.
- The Barons kept as much of their land as they wished for their own use, then divided the
rest among the knights.
- Barons were very rich.
Knights
- Knights were given land by a Baron in return for military service when demanded by the
King.
- They also had to protect the Baron and his family, as well as the Manor, from attack.
- The knights kept as much of their land as they wished for their own personal use and
distributed the rest to the serfs.
- Although not as rich as the Barons, Knights were quite wealthy.

Serfs 
- Villeins (Peasants), sometimes known as serfs, were given land by Knights.
- They had to provide the knight with free labour, food and service whenever it was
demanded.
- Serfs had no rights.
- They were not allowed to leave the Manor and had to ask their Lord’s permission before
they could marry.
- Serfs were poor.

The Role and Place of the Church in the Feudal System

- Christianity was the main influence on medieval European culture, affecting many
aspects of daily life.
- The head of the church was the Pope. He was regarded as God’s representative on
earth.
- The Church was the largest land owner after the King.
- The church had enormous power which was not questioned by the people.
- In an age when medical knowledge was limited, Christian looked to the Church and God
to explain their world.
- Medieval music, architecture, art, literature and science in Europe were all inspired by
Christian ideals.
- They believed that unless they lived virtuous lives that is pleasing God, they would face
eternal punishment (hell).
- Christians were required to attend church every Sundays, pay a tenth of their income to
the Church and go on pilgrimages.
- Members who did not do these things were seen as witches are being possessed by the
devil and could be excommunicated from the church or killed and thereby doomed to
hell.
Task 

Complete the table below; what are the advantages and disadvantages of the feudal system to
the following:

Benefit Disadvantage

The King - In control under the

Feudal System
- Owned all the land in
the country
- People remained loyal
to the King
- Could take taxes

Nobles - Were in complete - Had to serve on the

control of this land. royal council, pay rent
- Established their own - Provide the king with
system of justice, Knights for military
minted their own service
money and set their - They also had to
own taxes. provide lodging and
- Kept as much of their food for the king and
land as they wished his court
for their own use

Peasants - Were given land by - Had to provide the

Knights knight with free
labour, food and
service
- Had no rights.
- Not allowed to leave
the Manor
- Had to ask their
Lord’s permission
before they could
marry.
- Were poor.
Using the information discussed complete the following activities:

Consider the various roles of people in feudal times. Who would have performed the tasks listed
below?
a. Raise an army for the King-
Baron
b. Keep law and order in the country-
Baron
c. Spread Christian beliefs-
​Church
d. Accompany the baron on a crusade-
​Knight
e. Do heavy work such as forking manure or threshing grain-
Serfs
f. How did this system help the King keep control?
Only allowed those men that swore an oath to remain faithful to the King at all times, therefore
he could trust to lease land from him; earn people who will remain loyal to him.
The Black Death 
 
Health, Hygiene and Medicine at the time of the Black Death 
- There was filth in the streets
- Garbage and sewerage were thrown into the streets which led to a problem with rats and
fleas.
- Life was dangerous and short to about 20
- They bathed about once or twice a year while wealthy people about once a month
- Not much was known about diseases
- Herbal remedies were used as treatment and astrology for causes
- Really sick people had a vein cut to let out the bad blood
- Not many trained doctors
- Child mortality was high, historians estimate about 30% died in their first year, 10-20%
before reaching puberty. ​[History 8 for NSW ​The Ancient to the Modern World /​ page
298] 
 

Origins and causes of Black Death 

- The Mongolian army launched the bodies of the dead and diseased soldiers into the
Genoese trading city of Kaffa ​[Source 1]
- Sailors from the Genoese ship entering the harbour of Messina in the year 1347, bore
the disease ​[Source 2 / Medieval description]
- It was believed that the general cause was the close positioning of the 3 great planets,
Saturn, Jupiter and Mars which took place on the 24th of march 1345 ​[Source 5 /
medieval French doctor]
- The plague was caused by the bacterium called ​Yersinia pestis​, named after its
discoverer, Alexander Yersin ​[History 8 for NSW ​The Ancient to the Modern World /​
page 303]

Trade and the spread of the Black Death 

- Historians believe the trade routes played a major role in spreading the Black Death-
land and sea trade routes were significant in enabling its rapid spread. ​[History 8 for
NSW ​The Ancient to the Modern World ​/ page 305]
- Some historians think that the plague was brought to Europe by those fleeing Kaffa in
1347, others believe that the Black Death was carried to Europe and North Africa by a
number of different trade ships ferrying the disease from port to port ​[History 8 for NSW
The Ancient to the Modern World /​ page 306]
- After killing millions in the east, the plague had spread to Europe​ [Source 3 / medieval
Description of the Black Death]
 - In the year 1348 the deadly plague made its appearance in Florence, Italy

Symptoms of the Black Death 

- Lumps in the groin and armpits​ [Source 3 / medieval Description of the Black Death]
- Almost all died within 3 days
- 3 forms of plague during the Black Death; bubonic, pneumonic and septicaemic ​[History
8 for NSW ​The Ancient to the Modern World /​ page 306]
There were 3 forms of plague that made up the Black Death; bubonic, pneumonic and
Septicaemic. Bubonic plague was the most common form with around 30%-70% of the victims
dying. This type was transmitted through a bite from a flea carrying the disease. The distinctive
symptoms were black dots all over the body and swollen lymph nodes (buboes) which
developed under the armpits, in the groin and neck. The second most common form was the
Pneumonic Plague, which passed on through droplets coughed from the lungs of a person with
the plague

The Black Death was caused by 3 different forms of plague. Most common form was the
Bubonic plague, with 30-70% of the people di
- Bubonic plague​ was the most common form
- Between 30-70% of the people with the bubonic plague died
​ acteria (early symptoms)
→ a bite from a flea carrying the ​Yersinia pestis b
→ swollen lymph nodes (buboes) under the armpits, in the groin and the neck
→ high fever and pain
→ coughing and vomiting blood (later symptoms)
→ black dots all over the body
→ intense pain
→ by the time the buboes appeared, the victim usually had around 2 to 3 days to live

- Pneumonic Plague​ was transmitted from human to human through droplets coughed
from the lungs of a person with the plague. The droplets contained the​ Yesinia pestis
bacteria.
- Pneumonic plague was most common in the colder regions of Europe, such as Iceland.
- Between 90-95% of people with pneumonic plague died.
→ once infected, the victims could expect to live two to four days.
→ coughing up blood
→ fever and headache

- Septicaemic plague​ was the least common and most deadly form ​[History 8 for NSW
The Ancient to the Modern World ​/ page 307]
- 100% of the people with septicaemic plague died
→ occurred when the blood was infected by the bacterium
→ prevented the body from forming blood clots
→ bleeding (bleeding into the skin turned it dark purple)
 → organ failure
→ fever
 
 
Treatments for the Black Death 
- Frog’s belly was laid next to a plague sore, if the frog burst within a quarter of an hour
the patient lived, this was done until no more sores were left.​ [Source 6 / medieval
book on how to treat the plague]
- The frogs drew out the poison, and this method has been frequently tried
- Variety of bizarre (and useless) treatments for the plague- placing a live hen next to the
buboes, wearing special charms and chanting spells. ​[History 8 for NSW ​The Ancient
to the Modern World ​/ page 308]
- Recommendations regarding diet, exercise and blood-letting
- Some doctors advised to inhale the smells of human waste in belief that one bad smell
would counteract the effect of another.
- Most famous doctor in Europe, Guy de Chauliac made the Pope sit in a smoke-filled
room in the hope of avoiding the plague.​ [Health, Hygiene and Death Worksheet]
- Physicians applied various types of medicinal pastes to the buboes, and many also
suggested bursting the buboes and draining them of pus in order to aid healing
- Placing heated cups on the skin to try to draw out the ‘bad humours’
- Believed that people could block the effect of the plague-ridden air by surrounding
themselves with perfumes and herbs, avoiding bad smells and warm south winds.

 
Responses to the Black Death 
- The Black Death threw the societies into turmoil ​[History 8 for NSW ​The Ancient to the
Modern World ​/ page 310]
- People fled, leaving their infected relative to die alone
- The doctors and religious leaders were unable to help, some people decided to take
matter into their own hands
- The flagellants​ were a Christian movement active in the late 13th century
→ they hoped that by punishing their bodies by whipping them, it would show God they
hhhhh​ were remorseful for their own and the communities’ sins
→they also hoped that God would further forgive them and take away the disaster
→the flagellants re-emerge during the Black Death
→they would proceed through towns singing and scourging themselves in groups of 30
hhhhh ​to 500 people
- Persecution of the Jews
→ The scholars decided that the plague had come to Mecca because God was ​hh
hhhhiiii ​displeased that Jews were living in the Islamic holy city.
 → Christian Europe took this thinking a step further- Jews were a distinct community
hhhhh ​with​ ​traditions different from those of their Christian neighbours. Rumours began to
hhhhh​ spread that the plague was caused by the Jews poisoning the wells and the air.
→ Thousands of Jews were persecuted, burnt alive and massacred all over Europe.
→ Jews were not in any way responsible for the plague and were dying of the plague as
kkk​ fast as everyone else, but this did not stop the persecution.

Paragraphs 
Ha Jin 
Health, Hygiene and Medicine at the time of the Black Death
During the Medieval Era, mortality rates were high and early deaths were common. Historians
estimate that life was short to about 20-40 years, with 30% mortality rate for children under the
age of one and 10-20% mortality rate for children before they reach puberty. Hygiene conditions
were appalling with garbage, sewerage, human waste and rats thriving in the streets. Not much
was known about diseases and its cure. Most doctors practiced medicine untrained. People did
not know about diseases caused from germs, and would bathe once or twice a year with the
wealthy bathing once a month.

Origins and causes of Black Death

The plague was originally from China, and spread by the Mongolian army when bodies of the
dead and diseased soldiers were launched to the Genoese city Kaffa. Sailors from Genoese
entered the harbour in Messina, introducing the plague to Europe in the year 1347. It was
believed amongst people that the close positioning of Saturn, Mars and Jupiter was the cause of
this disease. The plague was in fact caused by a bacterium named ​Yersinia pestis,​ named after
and discovered by Alexander Yersin.

Elissa 
Health, Hygiene and Medicine at the time of the Black Death 
At the time of the Black Death, health, hygiene and medicine were not well known. The habits of
the people led to short life expectancy for adults only living up to about 20 and a high mortality
rate amongst children. The streets were filthy, strewn with garbage and sewerage leading to a
problem of rats and fleas. The peasants only bathed about once or twice a year while the
wealthy could afford to bathe more frequently like once a month. In the medieval times, there
were very few trained doctors and there was little known about diseases. Herbal remedies were
often used as treatments and astrology for causes, those who were really sick had a vein cut to
let out the bad blood in their body. Diseases rapidly spread throughout communities in the
medieval times. 
Origins and causes of Black Death
The Black Death was caused by a bacterium called ​Yersinia pestis​. This was discovered by the
French scientist, Alexander Yersin, in 1894. This bacterium began as a harmless organism in
the stomachs of rats, however it worked out how to insert genes from other bacteria and viruses
into it own genome. Although, it was the believed that the cause was the close positioning of the
3 great planets as it was a sign of something either wonderful, terrible and violent coming.

Trade and the spread of the Black Death

The plague started out in China and spread to the Genoese city Kaffa, when the Mongols
catapulted infected soldiers into the city. It is believed that trade routes played a significant role
in the spread of the Black Death. After killing many in Asia, land and sea trade routes from the
East to Europe caused the plague to spread from port to port. Within Europe, It made its first
appearance in Florence, Italy in 1347, infecting many from around the year 1348.

Trade and the spread of the Black Death 

The plague originally started in the East, however it began to infect those in Europe in 1348,
making its first appearance in Florence, Italy. Historians believe the main reason the disease
spread is because of the trade routes, both on land and sea. They increased the rapid
spreading of the disease to other places, including Europe as it is most likely the plague was
carried by a number of trade ships infecting from port to port.

Symptoms of the Black Death 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The black Death 

“How many valiant men, how many fair ladies, breakfast with her kinfolk and the same night
supped with their ancestors in the next world! The condition of the people was pitiable to
behold.” -Giovanni Boccaccio

1. From Asia to Europe​: ​How did the success of the Mongol Empire lead to the spread
of the disease?
2. a. ​Death Rates:​ ​Provide some figures from different locations.
Barcelona- 600 a day Paris- half the population Florence- half the population
b. (The Church) Why do you think the mortality rate was highest in villages or manors?
No protection for the peasants
3. The Church: ​Why did some people lose respect for the church?​ (NB: this is not the
same as losing faith with God): Nothing the Church was doing was helping/work
4. a. ​The Jews: ​What ideas about Jews were suggested?
Jews poison wells and rivers. They weren’t innocent, no one can be clear of these
charges
b. ​What happened to Jews?​ Include a specific example.
Butchered, slaughtered and burnt alive in cemeteries.
5. The Black Death in England
a. ​What proportion of English people lived on manors in 1348?
90% of the people
b. ​What happened to the land farmed by the members of the Denny family who
died? ​May 1335 the black death arrived, when the father, mother and some brothers of
the Denny family died, 7 and a half acres of land was left in the care of his remaining son
 c.​ How did the surviving peasants benefit from The Black Death?
The poor people earned more land, and gained power. They were in demand and could
ask for higher wages and cheaper rents. Their wealth was improved, and were able to
marry without permission.
d.​ Explain how the Black Death contributed to the breakdown of feudalism.​ The
feudal system started crumbling. Serfs had to previously follow orders, however they
could now ask for higher wages.

6. ​The Black Death in Italy (1)

a. How was life in a place such as Florence different to life for most people in
England at the time?
It was well populated, the population was tremendous. People of every imaginable
business, nowhere was busier and richer in terms of trade. Cities were big and crowded
with wealthy places to live which attracted people.

b. List 3 different treatments Italian doctors might use to try to cure the plague.
The doctor advised people to eat lettuce and alternate sleep on the left and right side to
keep the heat of liver balanced, dried human excrement roots of white lilies and gum
resin and keep faith in God

c. What ideas did people have about how the plague spread?
People thought the disease was spread through sight and thinking about it.

d. What was the impact of the Black Death on farms and on cities such as Sienna?
Livestock unattended, work never resumed, harvest ungathered, city life stopped, dead
bodies weren't being removed, food wasn't made breads weren’t baked, resulted in
famine. People could now do what they wanted. In Venice 90 000 died. In Florence, half
the population died.

e. The Black Death in Italy (2)

Explain how the Black Death eventually led to the growth and rebuilding of
European cities.
People started to rebuild the cities and look forward in life not backwards. Huge outpour
in creativity; art, literature, architecture and science. Human survival was emerging as
people started to resist the disease.