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Feudal hierarchy - Coggle Diagram
Feudal hierarchy
Feudal system
(1)
King: King was extremely powerful - owned all the land in England and was his duty to protect the people from invasion and enforce laws
(2)
Tenants in chief: most were nobles and important clergy such as bishops. This is in return for their fief, paying homage and knight service to the king. These were called barons - they advised the king and helped govern England
(3)
Under tenants: vassals to tenants in chief. Most were knights and lesser clergy - in return for their land they paid homage to their lord
(4)
Free men - could travel and work anywhere they wanted. They included merchants, craftsmen and farmers. Had to obey and pay rent to their lord
(5)
Unfree peasants provided labour service to their lord in turn for his protection, shelter and a small strip of land
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Paying homage
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After being sworn, the landholder became the vassal of his lord and had to provide service to him
If a vassal broke his oath, he could be punished y forfeiture or even death
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Landholding
King kept about 20% of land in England for himself. His land was the royal demesne. Most of the rest was run by barons, nobles and knights. Rest was held by the church.
Forfeiture
If a vassal failed to provide service to his lord or committed a crime, his oath was broken and his land declared forfeit