DTW GED PREP

During the early medieval era, the feudal system became a dominant social and political structure, not just in Europe, but also in regions like India, China, and Japan. The core of feudalism was the relationship between different classes, which was built on a legally binding oath of loyalty. The monarch, or king, granted large tracts of land and noble titles to warriors, in return for their military service and loyalty. These warriors, in turn, became lords of the estates they were given, and they ruled over their own small feudal domains. They were responsible for protecting and housing their vassals—people who worked the land and provided military service in exchange for protection and sustenance. This created a hierarchical structure where the lords held considerable power over their territories.

Interestingly, while the role of warrior was predominantly male, there were some women who attained significant power in the feudal system, typically through marriage or widowhood, though women warriors were rare. Joan of Arc is one such exceptional example, where a woman became a notable military figure during this period. The balance of power between the monarch and the lords was often delicate and tense. The monarch aimed to assert control over the entire realm and demand loyalty from all subjects, but the lords had so much autonomy on their estates that they could challenge the king’s authority. Although they acknowledged the monarch’s divine right to rule, the lords’ substantial power made them potential rivals to the king.

An example of this power struggle occurred in England in 1215, when King John’s poor governance led to widespread discontent among the lords. His unwise rule, coupled with heavy taxation and ineffective leadership, prompted the lords to unite and force King John to sign the Magna Carta. This historic document was significant because it established the principle that even the king was not above the law. It marked a crucial moment in the development of the English parliamentary system, as it laid the foundation for the concept of a system where rulers would be held accountable to a governing body, a principle that would influence the development of democratic systems in the future.

FEUDALISM

Directions: Choose the best answer to each of the following questions.

1. Feudal vassals were provided housing and farmland by lords in return for
   A. military service and loyalty.
   B. a promise of marriage.
   C. giving up one child for slavery.
   D. taxes on sales at the local market.
2. King John of England signed the Magna Carta after conflicts with
   A. the king of France.
   B. English lords.
   C. English commoners.
   D. French knights.

1. Feudal vassals were provided housing and farmland by lords in return for

✅ A. military service and loyalty
🟩 Explanation: In the feudal system, vassals pledged loyalty and military support to their lords in exchange for land and protection.

2. King John of England signed the Magna Carta after conflicts with

✅ B. English lords
🟩 Explanation: The Magna Carta was signed in 1215 after King John’s disputes with powerful English barons who demanded limits on royal authority and protection of their rights.