Understanding the Black Death and Feudalism
What is Feudalism?
Feudalism was a system of land ownership used during the Norman period in Britain. Here’s how it worked:
- The King: The king owned all the land.
- Lords: The king gave land to his lords (nobles) in exchange for their help in wars.
- Landowners: These lords were responsible for providing soldiers to the king when needed.
- Peasants and Serfs: Most peasants worked on the land. Some had their own land, but many were serfs. Serfs worked on the lord’s land and had very few rights. They could not leave the land they worked on and were required to farm for their lords.
The Black Death
In 1348, a terrible disease called the Black Death arrived in Britain. It was likely a form of plague. Here are some important points about it:
- Impact on Population: The Black Death killed about one-third of the population in England and similar amounts in Scotland and Wales. This was one of the worst disasters Britain had ever faced.
- Changes After the Black Death: With fewer people, there was less need to grow as much food. Labour shortages meant that peasants could ask for higher wages.
- New Social Classes: As a result, new social classes emerged. Wealthy landowners, who later became known as the gentry, started to appear. Many people also moved from the countryside to towns, leading to a strong middle class.
- Effect in Ireland: The Black Death also affected Ireland, especially in an area called the Pale. The English control there became weaker for a time.
Key Concepts
- Feudalism: A hierarchical system of land ownership.
- Serfs: Workers tied to the land they farm.
- Black Death: A plague that drastically reduced the population and changed social structures.
Questions for the Life in the UK Test
Easy Level Questions
- What is feudalism?
- A) A system of farming
- B) A system of land ownership
- C) A type of government
- D) A type of plague
- Who owned all the land in feudalism?
- A) The peasants
- B) The lords
- C) The king
- D) The serfs
- What did lords provide to the king?
- A) Money
- B) Food
- C) Soldiers
- D) Tools
- Who were serfs?
- A) Free farmers
- B) Workers tied to the land
- C) Landowners
- D) Kings
- When did the Black Death arrive in Britain?
- A) 1200
- B) 1348
- C) 1450
- D) 1600
- How much of the population died from the Black Death in England?
- A) One tenth
- B) One quarter
- C) One third
- D) One half
- What happened to wages after the Black Death?
- A) They decreased
- B) They stayed the same
- C) They increased
- D) They were banned
- What new social class appeared after the Black Death?
- A) The nobles
- B) The gentry
- C) The peasants
- D) The kings
- Where did many people move after the Black Death?
- A) To farms
- B) To other countries
- C) To towns
- D) To castles
- Which area was particularly affected by the Black Death in Ireland?
- A) The Highlands
- B) The Pale
- C) Dublin
- D) Belfast
Medium Level Questions
- What was the main reason for the Black Death’s spread in 1348?
- A) Poor hygiene
- B) Overpopulation
- C) Wars
- D) Climate change
- What did peasants have to do in return for land from their lords?
- A) Pay rent
- B) Work for their lord
- C) Fight in wars
- D) Teach children
- How did the population change after the Black Death?
- A) It increased
- B) It stayed the same
- C) It decreased
- D) It became more diverse
- What was one effect of the labour shortages after the Black Death?
- A) Increased taxes
- B) More food production
- C) Higher wages for workers
- D) Less land ownership
- What was the role of clans in northern Scotland?
- A) They were landowners
- B) They were farmers
- C) They were soldiers
- D) They were serfs
- How did the Black Death affect the English control in Ireland?
- A) It strengthened it
- B) It weakened it
- C) It had no effect
- D) It relocated it
- What is a gentry?
- A) A type of king
- B) A wealthy landowner
- C) A poor farmer
- D) A soldier
- What did the smaller population mean for food production?
- A) More food was needed
- B) Less food was needed
- C) Food production stopped
- D) Food was imported
- What type of crops were less needed after the Black Death?
- A) Fruit trees
- B) Cereal crops
- C) Vegetables
- D) Flowers
- What change occurred in towns after the Black Death?
- A) They became poorer
- B) They developed a middle class
- C) They disappeared
- D) They became feudal
Hard Level Questions
- What was the significance of the year 1348 in British history?
- A) The start of the Norman Conquest
- B) The arrival of the Black Death
- C) The signing of a peace treaty
- D) The beginning of the English Civil War
- How did the feudal system impact the daily lives of peasants?
- A) It gave them more freedom
- B) They had to work without pay
- C) They could choose where to live
- D) They were responsible for their own land
- What eventually happened to the serfs after the Black Death?
- A) They remained tied to the land
- B) They gained more rights
- C) They became lords
- D) They moved to Ireland
- Which of the following was a long-term effect of the Black Death?
- A) Increased population
- B) Decline of the feudal system
- C) Return to clan ownership
- D) Strengthening of the monarchy
- Why did the gentry class become important after the Black Death?
- A) They controlled all the land
- B) They represented the king
- C) They were wealthy landowners
- D) They were former serfs
- What role did towns play in the aftermath of the Black Death?
- A) They became less populated
- B) They became centers of trade and wealth
- C) They were abandoned
- D) They were taken over by lords
- How did the Black Death change the relationship between lords and peasants?
- A) Lords had more power
- B) Peasants gained more bargaining power
- C) There was no change
- D) Lords were replaced by kings
- What was one reason the gentry emerged after the Black Death?
- A) The need for more soldiers
- B) The demand for skilled labour
- C) The rise in trade
- D) The decline of the church
- How did the Black Death influence urbanisation in Britain?
- A) People moved back to the countryside
- B) Towns grew as people sought work
- C) Towns were destroyed
- D) Urbanisation did not change
- How did the political landscape change in Ireland due to the Black Death?
- A) English control weakened
- B) English control strengthened
- C) Ireland became independent
- D) Clans became less important
Answers and Explanations
Easy Level Answers
- B) A system of land ownership
- C) The king
- C) Soldiers
- B) Workers tied to the land
- B) 1348
- C) One third
- C) They increased
- B) The gentry
- C) To towns
- B) The Pale
Medium Level Answers
- A) Poor hygiene
- B) Work for their lord
- C) It decreased
- C) Higher wages for workers
- A) They were landowners
- B) It weakened it
- B) A wealthy landowner
- B) Less food was needed
- B) Cereal crops
- B) They developed a middle class
Hard Level Answers
- B) The arrival of the Black Death
- D) They were responsible for their own land
- B) They gained more rights
- B) Decline of the feudal system
- C) They were wealthy landowners
- B) They became centers of trade and wealth
- B) Peasants gained more bargaining power
- D) The decline of the church
- B) Towns grew as people sought work
- A) English control weakened
