1 MARKS QUESTIONS 📖
Question 1: What is the main focus of “The Three Orders” in medieval society?
Answer: Describes the social hierarchy of clergy, nobility, and peasants.
Question 2: What is the origin of feudalism?
Answer: It originated in the early medieval period, evolving from the collapse of centralized Roman authority.
Question 3: Name one characteristic of feudalism.
Answer: Decentralized political structure with local lords holding power.
Question 4: What are the Three Orders in medieval society?
Answer: Clergy, Nobility, and Peasantry.
Question 5: Who were the monks in medieval society?
Answer: Members of the clergy living in monasteries, devoted to a life of prayer and work.
Question 6: What was the role of the Church in medieval society?
Answer: It played a central role in both religious and social aspects, influencing governance and daily life.
Question 7: In medieval France and England, what was the relationship between the Church and Society?
Answer: The Church had significant influence on both religious and secular matters, often collaborating with rulers.
Question 8: What were the factors affecting social and economic relations in medieval society?
Answer: Land ownership, inheritance laws, and social class distinctions.
Question 9: What new agricultural technology emerged during the medieval period?
Answer: The heavy plow, windmills, and crop rotation.
Question 10: Were there attempts to establish a fourth social order in medieval society?
Answer: Not typically, as society was largely structured around the Three Orders.
Question 11: What characterized cathedral towns in medieval Europe?
Answer: They were centers of economic, cultural, and religious activity, often built around a prominent cathedral.
Question 12: What term describes the social unrest in medieval society?
Answer: Feudalism’s Decline or Social Turmoil.
Question 13: What were some political changes between the 15th and 16th centuries in medieval Europe?
Answer: The Renaissance, the rise of centralized monarchies, and challenges to traditional feudal structures.
Question 14: Which new social group emerged in medieval towns?
Answer: Townspeople or the bourgeoisie, including merchants and craftsmen.
Question 15: What was a key feature of the economic landscape in medieval towns?
Answer: The growth of trade and commerce, contributing to the rise of a new urban economy.
2 MARKS QUESTIONS 📖
Question 1: Explain the concept of feudalism and its origin.
Answer: Feudalism was a social, economic, and political system in medieval Europe characterized by a decentralized structure with local lords holding power. It originated in the early medieval period as a response to the collapse of centralized Roman authority.
Question 2 Describe the characteristics of the Three Orders in medieval society.
Answer: The Three Orders were the Clergy (religious leaders), Nobility (land-owning aristocracy), and Peasantry (commoners and farmers). They formed the social hierarchy in medieval Europe.
Question 3: How did the relationship between the Church and Society manifest in medieval France and England?
Answer: The Church played a central role in both religious and secular matters, influencing governance and daily life. It often collaborated with rulers, providing legitimacy to their authority.
Question 4: What were the factors affecting social and economic relations in medieval society?
Answer: Factors included land ownership, inheritance laws, and social class distinctions. These elements determined an individual’s status and opportunities.
Question 5: Discuss the role of monks in medieval society.
Answer: Monks were members of the clergy living in monasteries, dedicating their lives to prayer and work. They played a crucial role in preserving knowledge and contributing to the cultural and religious aspects of society.
Question 6: Explain the impact of new agricultural technology in medieval Europe.
Answer: New agricultural technologies, such as the heavy plow, windmills, and crop rotation, increased agricultural productivity, contributing to economic growth and population expansion.
Question 7: Were there attempts to establish a fourth social order in medieval society?
Answer: Not commonly. Medieval society was predominantly structured around the Three Orders, and attempts to establish a fourth order were generally unsuccessful.
Question 8: What characterized cathedral towns in medieval Europe?
Answer: Cathedral towns were centers of economic, cultural, and religious activity, often built around a prominent cathedral. They played a significant role in shaping the urban landscape.
Question 9: How did the rise of towns and townspeople contribute to social changes in medieval Europe?
Answer: The growth of towns led to the emergence of a new social class, the bourgeoisie, consisting of merchants and craftsmen. This contributed to the shift toward a more urban and commercially oriented economy.
Question 10: Discuss the political changes that occurred between the 15th and 16th centuries in medieval Europe.
Answer: The 15th and 16th centuries saw the Renaissance, the rise of centralized monarchies, and challenges to traditional feudal structures. These changes marked a transition toward more modern political systems.
Question 11: How did the social unrest manifest in medieval society, and what were some of its causes?
Answer: Social unrest in medieval society was often characterized by uprisings and discontent among the peasantry. Causes included economic inequality, high taxes, and oppressive feudal practices.
Question 12: Explain the significance of the heavy plow in medieval agriculture.
Answer: The heavy plow revolutionized agriculture by allowing for deeper and more efficient cultivation of soil, enhancing productivity and contributing to the growth of medieval European economies.
Question 13: What role did the Church play in shaping the cultural and intellectual landscape of medieval Europe?
Answer: The Church was a key patron of the arts and education. Monasteries preserved ancient texts, and the Church played a central role in the development of medieval art, architecture, and scholarship.
Question 14: How did the Renaissance contribute to political and cultural changes in medieval Europe?
Answer: The Renaissance sparked a renewed interest in classical knowledge, leading to advancements in art, science, and philosophy. It also contributed to the decline of feudalism and the rise of humanism.
Question 15: Discuss the impact of the rise of centralized monarchies on the political structure of medieval Europe.
Answer: The rise of centralized monarchies resulted in stronger, more centralized rule, reducing the power of local lords. This shift marked a transition from feudal fragmentation to more unified and centralized political entities.
5 MARKS QUESTIONS 📖
Question 1.
Discuss the following:
- Serf
- Monk
- Cathedrals
Answer:
Serf:
- Serf occupied a distinct place in medieval Europe.
- They did a lot for the development of agriculture.
- They cultivated plots of land which belonged to the lord.
- A large portion of its product had to be given to the lord.
- They were not allowed to leave the estate without the prior permission of their lords.
- The lord could only decide about the marriage of their serfs.
Monk:
- A group of deeply religious people chose to lead the life of isolation.
- They lived in religious communities called abbeys or monasteries.
- Monks took vows to remain in the monasteries for the rest of their lives.
- They spent most of their time in prayer, meditations and studies.
- Men or women could also lead such sort of life.
- Men became monks and women became nuns.
- There were separate monasteries for men and women.
- Monks and nuns did not marry.
Cathedrals:
- Large churches were called cathedrals.
- They were built in France. Different groups of people contributed a lot to their monasteries, particularly the rich merchants.
- Cathedrals were built of stone.
- They were designed in such a way so that the priest’s voice could be heard within the hall v/here a large number of people gathered.
- Stained glass windows narrated the stories in the Bible through pictures. Illiterate people could also read it.
Question 2.
Why do you think the people of new towns were considered of fourth order? Explain.
Answer:
The people of new towns were considered of fourth order because of the following:
- These newly flourished towns were developed with the fair and small market centers, as a result of expansion of trade.
- The social and the political conditions of the people were totally different from the people who belonged to the former three orders.
- There were banks and lawyers in these towns.
- There was a distinct economic organization in the form of guild.
- Each trade and craft industry was organized into a guild. Craftsmen found it easier to settle in the towns as goods could be produced and traded for food.
- The rich traders and merchants developed better than the nobility.
- They were generous to the people and engaged in trade related activities.
- Later on cathedral towns began to develop, which belonged to monastery and rich merchants.
Question 3.
Which causes were responsible for the rise of middle class?
Answer:
The causes responsible for the rise of the middle class were :
- In the crusade, a lot of feudal lords had been killed.
- The growth of commerce and trade made the trading class quite rich and prosperous.
- They, in turn, sought the favor of king and helped him, whenever needed.
- The wealthy merchants and rich traders got many towns and cities freed from the clutches of feudal control.
- The new cities soon grew into centers of trade, commerce and education and consequently gave rise to the new classes.
- New classes of the rich merchants patronized art, science, literature and education.
Question 4
How did technological changes affect agriculture during 11th century?
Answer:
Technological changes affected agriculture in many ways:
- Wooden ploughs were replaced with heavy iron-tipped ploughs.
- The method of harnessing animals to the plough improved which enabled animals to exert greater power.
- Horses were now better shod with iron horseshoes. It prevented foot decay.
- The increased use of wind and water energy for agriculture enhanced agricultural production.
- The most innovative change was the switch from a two-field to a three field system.
- Now, peasants could use a field two years out of three if they planted it with one crop in autumn and a different crop in spring a year and a half later.
- Now the farmers could plant one with wheat or rye, the second in spring to raise peas, beans and lentils and the other part was left fallow.
Question 5
.Discuss the achievements of the nation-states.
Answer:
The nation-states are known for achievements. Some of them were:
- The rise of nation-states crushed the power of the lords and this made people free from their excesses.
- They paved way for setting up peace.They taught the people to give support to their kings.
- They infused the spirit of nationalism among the people of different classes.
- They took remarkable steps for the consolidation of the economy of states.
- They contributed a lot in the development of language, literature and architecture.
Question 6
What were the causes that led to the decline of feudalism in Europe?
Answer:
From the eighth to twelfth century CE, feudalism prospered in Europe. There was a steep decline of feudalism in Europe. The following causes led to its downfall:
Rise of the powerful monarchies:
- Powerful monarchies paved the way for the decline of feudalism. It rose in France, Spain and England.
Rise of nationalism:
- Education spread in the nation. The spread of education aroused the spirit of nationalism among the educated middle class.
- But the feudal lords were quite opposed to nationalism. That was why the educated people turned against feudalism.
- They could not tolerate its existence. They were to the side of their ruler and not with the lords.
- The result was that rulers became more and more powerful.
Rise of the middle class:
- New inventions encouraged trade and industry.
- The result was the emergence of the middle class in towns and cities.
- The middle class desired peace for the promotion of commerce, industry and crafts.
- They wanted to get rid of the nobles who were always engaged in constant wars.
Question 7
Discuss the political changes which occurred during 15th and 16th centuries in Europe.
Answer:
The political changes that occurred during 15th and 16th centuries were as follows:
- European kings strengthened their military as well as financial power during 15th and 16th centuries.
- They created powerful new states. These were much significant for Europe. Economic changes were also occurring. Historians have, therefore, called these kings “the new monarchs”.
- Louis XI in France, Maximilian in Austria, Henry VII in England and Isabelle and Ferdinand in Spain were absolutist rulers.
- They initiated the process of organizing standing armies, permanent bureaucracy and national taxation.
- In Spain and Portugal, they began to play a role in European expansion overseas.
- With the increase in taxes, the treasury of monarchs filled. They had enough revenues to support larger armies.
- They also defended and expanded their frontiers and ruthlessly destroyed the internal bickerings.
- Without resistance from the aristocracy, centralization could not be done. In England, the rebellions occurred in 1497, 1536, 1547, 1549, and 1553 simultaneously.
- In France, Louis XI (1461-83) waged a long struggle against dukes and princes. In the 16th century, the religious wars in France were a contrast between royal privileges and regional liberties.
- The king was now the center of an elaborate courtier society and a network of patron-client relationships.
- It did not matter whether they were weak or strong. Patronage became the means of ensuring cooperation. It could also be obtained by means of money.
- For ensuring survival, the nobility managed a tactical shift. They quickly transformed themselves into loyalists.
- Loyal absolutism has been called a modified form of feudalism. The lords were given permanent position in the administrative service. Now they started dominating the political scene.
Question 8.
“Why did Europe’s economic progress slow down by the early 14th century”? Give reasons?
Answer:
Europe’s economic progress slowed down due to the following reasons:
- The warm summers of the last 300 years had given way to bitterly cold summers in Northern Europe by the end of 13th century. It became quite difficult to grow crops on higher ground.
- Storms and flood destroyed the entire crops, which resulted into less income in taxes for government.
- Before thirteenth century, the climatic conditions had led to the large scale reclamation of the land of forests and pastures for agriculture. Intensive ploughing had exhausted the fertility of soil.
- The shortage of pastures reduced the number of cattle. Europe was hit by severe famines between 1315 and 1317. By 1320s, there occurred massive cattle deaths.
- Trade was hit by a severe shortage of metal money because of the shortfall in silver mines in Austria and Serbia.
- It forced the governments to reduce the silver content of the currency , and to mix it with cheaper metals.
- With the expansion of trade in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, ships carrying goods from distant countries had started arriving in European ports.
- Along with the ships came rats with deadly bubonic plague infection (the Black Death). Western Europe was isolated in earlier centuries, but was hit by the epidemic between 1347 and 1350.
- As a result, the trade centers and cities were hit. In enclosed communities like monasteries and covents, when one individual contracted the plague, a lot of people got affected to it.
- The plague took its worst toll among infants, the young and elderly.
Question 9.
Discuss the major drawbacks of feudalism which prevailed in medieval Europe.
Answer:
The major drawbacks of feudalism which prevailed in medieval Europe were as follows:
- It divided the country into small fiefs held by the feudal lords. They were selfish. They cared more for themselves and ignored the interests of the country as a whole. Hence, feudalism gave a blow to national unity.
- The central government became very weak. The feudal lords became more powerful and supreme.
- The vassals ignored the order of the king. The king was entirely dependent on feudal lords both for military and money. Sometimes they asserted their independence and king could not control them.
- Feudalism encouraged rebellions and wars. The power of the lords was increasing day by day and the kings were becoming more and more weak.
- This encouraged rebellious tendency among the nobles. The nobles were also eager to get new lands. So there was constant warfare among them. It destroyed peace and security and created chaos and confusion in the society.
Question 10.
Describe the contribution made by the Medieval Church in the fields of education, drama, music and architecture.
Answer:
Contribution in the field of Education :
- During the Medieval Ages, the work of imparting education to the people was done by the church.
- Only the priests were able to read and write and they too, provided education to the monks through the medium of Latin.
Contribution in the field of Drama :
- In the Medieval Age very few people could read. There was very little to read as books were almost scarce.
- Therefore drama became the most powerful medium of education. Plays in the local dialects were written to entertain as well as to educate the people who did not know Latin.
- Miracle plays enacted scenes of the lives of saints and moral plays usually depicted the struggle between good and bad.
- The plays were usually enacted in the churches and the actors were mostly drawn from the clergymen through laymen.
Music :
- Church singing was chiefly choral, therefore certain new melodies were tried and developed. But music was chiefly religious.
Architecture:
- The notable buildings during the Middle Ages were either castles or the chruches, which provide the best specimen of the medieval architecture in Europe.
- The churches were build in imitation of the Roman basilica and had spacious central halls and round arches with rows of columns.
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