The medieval social order, called feudalism, was centered on land: who could own it, how much they owned, and who was allowed (or forced) to live and work on it. Kings and queens would give an estate to a vassal, a person who pledged loyalty to the monarch in exchange for land and other privileges. The estate, called a fief or manor, usually included a large house, several farms, and at least one village. The lord of the manor then would grant parcels of land to his knights--soldiers who pledged to protect and defend the fief and all its inhabitants. Serfs, peasants who farmed the land on behalf of the vassal, were considered part of the estate. They couldn't own land, and they had little or no control over their lives.

Look at each set of images below and click the one you think answers the question. Use the information you get when you click to take notes on the worksheet Layers in a Feudal System. Click the Activity button to download or print the worksheet. Save the worksheet to use as you study for the lesson quiz and the module exam.

Which of these images shows a noble lord? Which of these is an image of a lord’s fief? Which of these images shows serfs? Which image shows a knight?