1. What are the three stages of becoming a knight?
The three stages of becoming a knight were:
Page: A boy started training around age 7. He learned good manners, religion, reading, writing, and basic fighting skills.
Squire: Around age 14, he assisted a knight directly, cared for his horse and weapons, and continued learning combat skills.
Knight: Around age 21, after proving his bravery and skill, he was officially knighted in a ceremony and took an oath to serve his lord and protect others.
2. Why was it important for knights to remain fit?
Knights had to remain physically fit because their main duty was to fight in battles and defend their land and lord. Strong fitness helped them wear heavy armor, ride horses, and use weapons effectively during wars and tournaments.
3. Why was the Statute of Arms for tournaments passed?
The Statute of Arms was passed to make tournaments safer. Knights often got seriously injured or killed during practice battles. This law set safety rules and limits on how tournaments should be conducted, reducing the risk of harm.
4. What was the basic layout of medieval villages across Europe?
Medieval villages usually had:
A manor house or castle where the lord lived.
A church in the center of the village.
Small huts or cottages where peasants lived.
Fields and farmland around the village for growing crops.
A mill, blacksmith, and market area for daily needs.
Most villages were built around farmland and a church, forming the heart of community life.
1. What was the main idea behind feudalism?
Feudalism was a system used in medieval Europe to keep order when there was no strong central ruler.
Lords owned the land, and in return for protection and work, peasants and farmers lived on it.
It was a way to make sure everyone had safety and a role in society.
2. Why were castles built on hills?
Castles were built on hills so enemies could be seen from far away and could not attack easily.
The height gave protection and made it difficult for attackers to climb or break in.
3. How did cathedrals reflect people’s faith?
Cathedrals showed how important religion was to people in medieval times.
They were large, tall, and beautifully built because people wanted to honor God.
The size and beauty of cathedrals showed their deep faith and devotion to the Church.
4. What were the main features of a medieval town?
Medieval towns were small and surrounded by walls for protection.
They had narrow streets, markets, churches, workshops, and houses close together.
Life was busy with trade and work, but hygiene was poor and diseases spread easily.
5. What was the impact of the Black Death on feudal society?
The Black Death killed between 30% and 50% of Europe’s population.
Because so many people died, there were fewer workers, and the feudal system began to weaken.
Many peasants demanded better living conditions and pay, and society started to change.
6. In what ways did the feudal system both protect and limit people?
- Protected: Lords gave peasants land and protection from attacks.
- Limited: Peasants had to work for the lord and could not easily move or improve their position.
It gave safety but also kept people stuck in the same class.
7. What lessons from medieval society are still relevant today?
- The value of cooperation and community support.
- The importance of education, fairness, and equality for everyone.
- Learning from the past to avoid injustice and to create systems that treat all people fairly.