King Richard I & King John (1189 - 1216) - Key words Flashcards
Fief / Feud
Land held by a vassal in return for service to a lord
Tenant-in-chief
Someone who held their fiefs directly from the king
Under-tenant
Someone who held their fiefs from a tenant-in-chief
Vassal
Someone who held land from someone else in the feudal system
Demesne
The king kept 20% of land for himself for hunting, farming and renting out. His land was known as demesne.
Paying homage
Landholders had to pay homage to their lord by swearing an oath of loyalty. It was sworn in a public ceremony. Once sworn the landholder becomes a vassal to his lord. If vassal broke his oath, he could be punished by forfeiture or even death.
Forfeiture
If a vassal fails to provide service to his lord or commits a crime, his oath was considered broken and his land was forfeit (the lord took it away). It was then given to someone else as a reward for their loyalty.
Knight service
Knight service ensured the king had an army to protect his kingdom. The amount of land held by a tenant-in-chief determined how many knights he owed the king.
Labour service
This was the work that the unfree peasants were expected to do on their lord’s land. It ensured that enough essential items (food, wool for clothing) was produced to provide for everyone in the country.
Sheriff
Sheriffs had to collect taxes due from the royal demesne. They were allowed to keep any money they collected above the required sum.
Anti-semitism
Prejudice, hatred and discrimination against Jews.
Pogrom
A pogrom is a riot against a particular group of people. (In this case it was Jews)
The holy land
Area in the Middle East linked to Jesus Christ. Includes parts of modern Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories
Interdict
To prohibit or forbid something. (In this case, the pope placed England under an interdict because John was defying the pope)
Reconciliation
The end of an estrangement and the restoration of friendly relations
