Western Civilization I / Unit 10 WC1 0926 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Classifying a Medieval Actor: Lord, Vassal, Serf, Bishop, King
The idea
The exam describes a person's obligations and asks their place in the feudal order. The method is two questions: to whom does this person owe something, and what. A vassal owes military service to a lord for a fief. A lord owes protection and land to his vassals. A serf owes labor and dues to whoever holds the land, and cannot leave it. A bishop owes spiritual service to the Church and often military service to a king as a landholder. A king owes protection to his vassals and receives their pledges, and may be weaker than they are.
In practice
Five cases. A man who kneels, places his hands in another's, and swears to fight for him: a vassal pledging fealty. A man who grants an estate in return for that oath and must defend the grantee: a lord. A farmer who owes three days' work on the lord's fields and may not marry outside the manor without leave: a serf. A churchman who holds a county from the king and brings knights to his wars: a bishop as lord. A ruler who cannot tax his nobles: a king in the warlord order.
Where people slip
One person could be several things. A count was vassal to the king and lord to his knights; a bishop was churchman and landlord. Classify by the obligation named, not the title.
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