BUILD YOUR OWN PYRAMID TO SHOW THE FEUDAL SYSTEM IN MEDIEVAL TIMES

In Western Europe during the Middle-Ages, people were born into a certain rank in society. It was extremely difficult and unusual to change the place you were born into. A few people (at the top of the pyramid) held most of the power, riches, and land. Most people (at the bottom of the pyramid) were poor, had little to eat, and worked the land, which the rich people owned.

In medieval times, the majority of the people in Europe were Christians. The official church in Western Europe was the Roman Catholic Church. Though different is some ways, the medieval church in Europe was structured similarly to that of the general society. The Church had many powerful leaders – cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and abbots - who were controlled by a single powerful leader – the Pope. Both men and women could choose a religious life. They were expected to give up all of their goods and wealth to the Church and take a vow of poverty. They also promised not to marry and to always obey the rules of the Church. The largest groups in the church were the monks, nuns, and priests. Monks and nuns lived in religious communities and spent their time in study, prayer, and work. Some religious communities ran school and hospitals.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN MEDIEVAL PYRAMID

Look at the descriptions of the church and society above. Do you see any similarities between the groups in regular society and in the Church? On the next page, there are various definitions and statements about each of the levels in each segment of religious and social medieval society. Identify who is who by matching up these definitions with the names given in CAPITALS at the bottom of the page. You must do the following:

n Cut out the pictures and place them in the appropriate spot on the pyramid (remember that more power means fewer people

n Cut out the descriptions/definitions of each group and match them to the appropriate spot on the pyramid

MEDIEVAL PYRAMID DEFINITIONS

This person had the highest position and ruled the land. He demanded taxes and support from his nobles and vassals	Not a part of the official church. This large group of people attended church services, worshipped at the church, and listened to the church leaders. Both men and women were a part of this group.
These people were the poorest and had the least power in feudal society. They farmed the lord’s fields and were forced to give up most of what they grew to their lord. They could be told to fight in wars. It was hard to leave the manor. They were given protection, shelter and just enough food to survive.	These groups were just above the monks and nuns in the church structure. They controlled a number of churches in a certain area, and told local churches about the decisions the Pope had made.
These 2 groups of people controlled most of the land. Both groups were so powerful that they are placed just below the king. One group pays no taxes and has immense power over the people. The other group was given their power and status by the king and this position is passed on by birth. Most of the people in this second group served their king by being knights. Both groups own large plots of land called manors	This person was the highest authority in the church. All final decisions about the rules and regulations of the church were approved by this person, who was always a male.
These people were free to move from manor to manor. They worked as trades people or craftsmen so they had to pay rent and taxes, but they were free people, who worked for wages and took their money with them whenever they decided to leave	A large part of the church. Both men and women were a part of these groups. These groups of people lived in religious communities and spent their time in study, prayer, and work.
This group was in the middle of the pyramid. They were given land by the king in return for their loyalty and support. They promised to supply money and men to the king when he needed it.	Two powerful groups of the church. One person from this group was the next in line to take over the position of the Pope.

SERFS (also called PEASANTS)

KING/QUEENS

LESS POWERFUL LORDS/LADIES AND KNIGHTS

NOBLES (also called LORDS/LADIES)

FREEMEN & FREEWOMEN

POPE

BISHOPS AND ABBOTS

NUNS, MONKS & PRIESTS

CARDINALS & ARCHBISHOPS

COMMON WORSHIPPERS