Feudal Society

9 Febraury 2021
Daily Review
The manor system was where the
majority of people lived during the Middle
Ages. Powerful lords and ladies built
castles where they could live, along with
their staff. These massive plots of land
became known as manors.
The Manor
System A manor was self-sufficient, meaning that
everything needed to survive could be
located on the property. For example,
manors had housing for all the people
who worked for the lord and lady, food
sources, water sources and specialty
shops.
Daily Review

According to the passage who built castles?

a) clergy b) knights c) lords d) peasants
Daily Review

According to the passage who built castles?

c) lords
Daily Review

A manor was not self-sufficient.

True or False
Daily Review

A manor was not self-sufficient.

False
Daily Review

A manor would provide just the food requirements for the people.

True or False
Daily Review

A manor would provide just the food requirements for the people.

False
Daily Review

Where did the majority of people live during the Middle Ages?

a) Villages b) The Manor System c) camps

Daily Review

Where did the majority of people live during the Middle Ages?

b) The Manor System

Daily Review

List five buildings on the manor.

 FEUDAL SOCIETY

Learning Intentions
Write succinct and well-organised notes using a graphic
organiser.
View medieval art to understand the past.

Success Criteria
Be able to describe the different activities that peasant
men and women and nobility engaged in during medieval
times.
Describe how quality of life was dependent on position in
the feudal system.
Labour of the Months
Labours of the Months refers to cycles
in Medieval and early Renaissance art
depicting in twelve scenes activities that
usually took place in the months of the
year.
The Labours of Months offer vivid
representations of peasants performing
agricultural work as well as aristocrats in
formal attire, against a background of
medieval architecture.
Illustration from
Très riches heures du Duc de Berry, 1412-16. This
Labour of the Months
Medieval society was predominantly
agricultural, and for the men and women
who worked the land, tasks were many,
varied and labour intensive. However,
until the late 20th century, the important
role played by medieval women in the
peasant household was largely ignored
by historians.

Be a historical detective and use the

images to discover the different types of
work peasant men and women did.
 Month Activity

January Feasting. The Duke’s household exchanges New Year gifts. The Duke is to the right in a blue robe.

February A typical winter’s day. Some peasants warm themselves by the fire, another peasant chops wood and still
another goes to market.
March Sowing the field. In the background is the Chateau de Lusignan, a residence of Jean de Berry.

April Planting, enjoying the country or picking flowers. A young couple are exchanging rings. In the background
is the Cateau de Dourdan.
May Hawking, courtly love. Young nobles riding in a procession. In the background is the Hotel de Nesle, the
Duke’s residence in Paris.
June Hay harvest. In the background is the Palais de la Cite with the Sainte Chapelle on the right.

July Wheat harvest. The shearing of the sheep. In the background is the Palace of Poitiers near Poitiers.

August Wheat threshing in the background. Falconry. The background is the Duc’s Chateau d’Etampes.

September Grape harvest with Chateau de Samur in the background.

October Ploughing or sowing. The background is the Louvre.

November Gathering acorns on which the pigs are feeding.

December A wild boar hunt.

Summarising
Activities
Nobility

Peasant Men

Peasant Women
Review

Pair-Share
What type of work did medieval peasant woman do?
 
What type of work did medieval peasant men do?
 
What types of activities do the nobility engage in?
 
What conclusions can you make about the type of work peasant men
and women did in Medieval Europe?
A woman’s life in Medieval Europe
• http://education.abc.net.au/home#!/media/1608452/a-woman-s-life-
in-medieval-europe