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The Collapse of the Feudal System

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Weighing the Evidence

Each of the images in this activity represents a major trend, change or shift in Medieval life related to the Feudal System and how it functioned economically, politically, or socially.  Drag and drop the images onto the scale to illustrate how much of an effect you believe each one had on the stability or decline of the feudal system during the Middle Ages.  As your group decides where each image belongs, discuss why it belongs there and the relative impact the event had on society.  The events you will be considering are:

  • The Growth of Towns and Rise of Guilds (Image: Spice Merchant Stained Glass Window)
  • The Crusades to the Holy Land (Image: Siege of Jerusalem)
  • Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire (Image: Charlemagne Window from Chartres Cathedral)
  • The Magna Carta (Image: Document)
  • The Feudal Contract (Image: Grievances of Guitart Isarn, Lord of Cabó)
  • The Black Death (Image: Plague Doctor Watercolor)
  • Pilgrimages and Monastic Life (Image: Canterbury Tales Mural)
  • The Hundred Years’ War (Image: The Franc a Cheval)
  • The Rise of Catholicism (Image: Notre Dame Cathedral Blueprints)
  • The Tradition of Chivalry (Image: Henry, Duke of Lancaster, and the Order of the Garter)

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View the full activity: https://docsteach.org/activity/the-collapse-of-the-feudal-system/

As  you work with your group to determine where each image (and the major trend, shift or event that it represents) belongs on the scale, discuss why you are placing it where you are and evaluate the relative impact it had on the stability or decline of feudalism in Europe.

public-domain
To the extent possible under law, Jessica Western has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to “The Collapse of the Feudal System”