Important Questions: The Three Orders | History Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What was the achievement of Marc Bloch?
Ans: He had composed a book on “The Feudal Society”. Here he gives a detailed account of social relations, hierarchies, land management, and culture of the French society between 900 and 1300 CE.

Q2: What do you understand by the medieval era?
Ans: It is the period between the fifth and the fifteenth century i.e. history of above 1000 ( a millennium) years.

Q3: Why did the social organization was centered on the control of land in Europe?
Ans:

• There was a lack of any integrated political force.
• Continuous military conflict was witnessed.
• Fencing became important in order to protect one’s land.

Q4: What was the role of Christianity in the feudal system of society in Europe?
Ans:

• It was the religion when had survived the collapse of Rome.
• It was pervaded throughout Europe.

On this basis, a priest (Clergy) was the first order of feudal society in Europe. Pope was the supreme head of the Catholic Church and Christians in Europe were guided by Bishops and clergies. The church was the law-making body and independent from the king.

Q5: What is the meaning of feudalism from an economic angle?
Ans: It was based on the relationship between lords and peasants. Lords were the nobles with large estates, joined by the whole. Peasants were owners of smallholdings and they had to cultivate the land owned by their lords and military protection was given to them in exchange for such services to the lords.

Q6: Describe the typography of Gaul or France.
Ans: It was a province of the Roman empire. It had two coastlines, mountain ranges/long rivers, forests, and large tracts of plains.

Q7 : Who were serfs ?
 Ans : Serfs were agricultural laborers in medieval Europe who worked on lands owned by lords. They cultivated crops and gave a major share of the produce to their lords. Serfs were tied to the estate and could not leave or marry without the lord's permission. Their lives were closely controlled by their lords, limiting their independence

Q8: Mention the essence of an article composed by Abbess Hildegard of Bingen in the twelfth century?
Ans: She had mentioned that as cows, donkeys, sheep, goats have certain different characteristics and cannot be put in a single enclosure, human being similarly; require different settings in society.

Short Answer Type Questions

• Render military service for at least forty days each year.
• Work without pay on the lord's fields for at least three days a week, known as labour-rent.
• Perform tasks such as digging ditches, gathering firewood, building fences, and repairing roads and buildings.
• Involve women and children in activities like spinning, weaving clothes, making candles, and pressing grapes to produce wine for the lord.

Q10. Discuss the practice of vassalage under three orders?
Ans: The practice of vassalage was significant in medieval society, particularly among the three social orders: the clergy, the nobility, and the peasants.

• First Order: The Clergy
  • Composed of bishops, priests, and monks.
  • Held considerable power and independence from the king.
  • Influenced public opinion through sermons and teachings.
• Second Order: The Nobility
  • Controlled land and held a central role in society.
  • Entered into vassalage with the king, pledging loyalty in exchange for protection.
  • Land ownership was crucial; nobles were vassals to the king, while peasants were vassals to the nobles.
• Third Order: The Peasants
  • Worked the land and were often bound to it.
  • Had limited rights and were subject to the nobles' authority.
  • In many ways, they were treated like slaves to the manor.

This hierarchical structure created a system where the nobility and clergy held power over the peasants, leading to a society marked by oppression and dependence.

Q11. Whether you see manual estates like the private states in India during the British regime? Justify your answer.
Ans: Throughout history, the impact of social structures has been significant, influencing behaviour and governance across various regions. The British, originating from England, brought their feudal system to India, which mirrored European practices. Key similarities between the British regime in India and European feudalism include:

• The division of society into distinct classes: In Europe, there were priests, nobility, and peasants, while in India, the structure comprised the crown, the British East India Company, and the common people.
• The nobility in Europe owned large estates, similar to how the governors-general acted as representatives of the British crown in India.
• Common people in India were akin to the peasants in Europe, forming the lower tier of the social hierarchy.

Thus, the British approach to governance in India reflected their own historical context, demonstrating the enduring nature of feudal systems across different cultures.

Q12. Describe some features of new agricultural technology?
Ans:

• Heavy iron-tipped ploughs and mouldboards improved soil cultivation.
• The introduction of the shoulder-harness allowed animals to pull ploughs more effectively.
• Horses were fitted with iron horseshoes to prevent foot decay.
• Water and wind-powered mills were established for tasks like milling corn.
• The three-field system enhanced land use, allowing for better crop rotation.
• More emphasis was placed on growing peas and beans for nutrition.
• Arable land was increasingly used for crop production.

Q13. What was Fief?
Ans: A fief was a small estate, typically measuring between 1,000 and 2,000 acres, granted by a lord to a knight. It included:

• A house for the knight and his family
• A church
• Houses for dependants
• A water mill
• A wine-press

The land was primarily cultivated by peasants, who worked both their own fields and those of the lord.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q14. ‘Three orders’ phrase signifies that there is involved religion in the ruling system of the community. To what extent, do you agree with his statement? Explain.
Ans: The term three orders refers to the social hierarchy in medieval Europe, consisting of:

1. The Priests: The highest order, wielding significant power through the Church, which governed society and law-making.
2. The Nobility: This order included landowning nobles who held executive power in the feudal system, collecting taxes from peasants and managing manors.
3. The Peasants: Divided into free peasants and serfs, they worked the land, with serfs facing restrictions and obligations to their lords.

From the 5th to the 11th century, Europe faced a cold climate that hindered agricultural progress. However, from the 11th century onwards, rising temperatures improved agricultural productivity, leading to increased trade and commerce.

As agricultural output improved, towns revived, offering paid work and freedom from feudal obligations. The Church played a crucial role in linking these social classes, providing spiritual guidance and holding substantial political power.

Thus, the three orders illustrate the intertwined nature of religion and the feudal system in shaping European society.

• Sudden changes in climate led to a decline in agricultural production.
• Land was overused, resulting in marginal fertility.
• The bubonic plague significantly disrupted the feudal system.

These factors caused a labour shortage, which increased wages and allowed some labourers to gain independence. This situation sparked peasant revolts in regions like Flanders, France, and England. In response, kings implemented several measures:

• Established a standing army.
• Created a permanent bureaucracy.
• Introduced a national taxation system.

The nobility initially resisted, leading to rebellions in 1536, 1547, 1549, and 1553, all of which were suppressed by kings such as Louis XI of France. Eventually, the nobility adapted, becoming loyalists and maintaining their influence in politics. Thus, the new monarchy can indeed be seen as a modified form of the feudal system, with the same noble class continuing to play a dominant role.

Q16. Do you think New towns and towns’ people can be considered as a fourth-order? Explain.
Ans: Yes, towns and their people can be considered a fourth-order in the feudal structure of European society for several reasons:

• Origins: Towns began as small market centres due to increased agricultural production.
• Social Distinction: The social and political conditions in towns were different from the previous three orders.
• Freedom for Serfs: A serf could become a free man by living in a town for one year and one day without being discovered by their lord.
• Economic Roles: Towns had a variety of occupations, including bankers and lawyers, indicating a shift towards tertiary occupations.
• Guilds: Each craft or industry was organised into a guild, which controlled product quality, pricing, and sales.
• Merchant Influence: Wealthy merchants often held more power than the nobility and were generous to their workers.
• Cathedral Towns: These towns developed around cathedrals, which were funded by monasteries and wealthy merchants, becoming pilgrimage centres.
• Population Growth: By the thirteenth century, towns had significant populations and were vital to the economy.

Based on these distinct characteristics, towns and their inhabitants can indeed be classified as the fourth order in the social hierarchy of Europe.

Q17. Discuss the structure of the new monarchy established on the ruins of feudalism.
Ans: The structure of the new monarchy that emerged after the decline of feudalism was characterised by several key features:

• The King was central to a complex society of courtiers and a network of patron-client relationships.
• Prosperous nobles were essential for the monarchy's stability, as their cooperation was crucial for the king's status.
• Financial support came from bankers and merchants, who contributed to administrative costs and soldiers' wages.

In France, a consultative assembly known as the Estates-General was formed, consisting of three houses: clergy, nobility, and common people. This assembly met only once in 1614 during the reign of child-king Louis XIII and was not convened again until 1789, as subsequent kings avoided sharing power. In England, even before the Norman Conquest, there was a Great Council that the king consulted on tax matters. This evolved into the Parliament, which included:

• The House of Lords, comprising lords and clergy.
• The House of Commons, representing towns and rural areas.

Parliament gained power, notably when King Charles I ruled for eleven years without calling it. When he eventually summoned it due to financial needs, a faction of Parliament opposed him, leading to his execution and the establishment of a republic. Although the monarchy was restored, it was now required to hold regular sessions of Parliament. Today, France operates as a republic, while England retains a monarchy, reflecting the divergent historical paths of these two nations after the seventeenth century.

Q18. Discuss how the new monarchy replaced the feudal set-up of European society?
Ans: Throughout history, societies undergo transformations, much like the stages of life. The feudal system in Europe experienced a significant decline, particularly during the fourteenth century. This decline was influenced by several factors:

• The rise of Christianity following the fall of the Roman Empire.
• Economic challenges, including the depletion of precious metals and reduced soil fertility.
• The devastating impact of the bubonic plague, which led to widespread starvation.

These conditions made it increasingly difficult to maintain the feudal structure, resulting in peasant revolts. In response, European kings began to consolidate their military and financial power. Historians refer to these rulers as the new monarchs, as they were no longer mere feudal lords but autocratic leaders. Notable examples include:

• Louis XI of France
• Maximilian of Austria
• Henry VII of England
• Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain

The new monarchs implemented several key measures:

• Established standing armies with modern organisation.
• Created a permanent bureaucracy, replacing the traditional nobility.
• Formulated national policies for taxation and overseas exploration.

They moved away from relying on feudal levies and instead formed professionally trained infantry, equipped with firearms and artillery, directly under their command. Initially, the nobility resisted this shift through rebellions but eventually became loyal supporters after their defeat. They were offered permanent roles in the new administrative systems. In summary, the transition from feudalism to monarchy marked a significant shift in European society, characterised by increased centralisation of power and the emergence of modern state structures.

Q19. “It is ignorance that generates fear of life and the man falls in a few shrewd hands for exploitation’. Do you agree with this statement? Justify your answer referring to the instinct of fear among common masses in Europe.
Ans: Examining the feudal society in Europe, the statement holds significant truth. The Church, the dominant authority in Christianity, understood this well. The system of vassalage was established by bishops and clerics, with the Pope of Rome at the top. Peasants suffered greatly under the feudal system, which was not merely a religious structure but a means for the powerful to exploit the masses:

• Bishops owned large estates and lived luxuriously, while the common people were kept in ignorance.
• Efforts to educate the masses were minimal; only select children of noble families received any form of education.
• Most children in manorial estates were forced into labour for the lords, rather than being educated.
• The clergy and nobility stifled the potential of the young to prevent any future opposition to the feudal system.

This ignorance bred fear among the people. They were terrified of the constant threat of war and violence. An average person, witnessing the control exerted by a nobleman, might prefer to live in the wilderness rather than under such oppression. Being illiterate, the common people placed blind trust in the clerics and lords. This ignorance led them to live in conditions worse than those of wild animals, as they were unable to challenge the system that kept them subjugated.

Q20. Describe the major features of a manorial estate and tell if each estate you see similar to a kingdom.
Ans: The manorial estate functioned much like a small kingdom, featuring several key elements:

• Central Manor House: The manor house served as the estate's capital, where the lord resided.
• Peasant Classes: There were two types of peasants: free peasants and serfs. Both worked the land, with serfs having fewer rights.
• Family Involvement: Peasants' families contributed by spinning thread, weaving fabric, and pressing grapes for wine.
• Skilled Trades: The estate employed blacksmiths and carpenters to maintain the lord's tools and weapons.
• Knights: Knights were given land (between 1,000 and 2,000 acres) in exchange for military service.
• Judicial Authority: The lord had the power to charge rent and resolve disputes among peasants and vassals.
• Land Features: The estate included meadows, forests, rivers, and churches, creating a self-sufficient community.

Overall, the manorial estate had its own governance and resources, resembling a miniature kingdom with distinct administrative and judicial powers.