Describe two features of early feudal society in France.

Sol. Two features of early feudal society are:

i. The early feudal society was based on the lord-peasant relationship.

The peasants worked in their fields as well as in the fields of the
lord. In exchange for labour service, the lords provided military
security to the peasants. The lords also enjoyed vast judicial rights
over the peasants.
ii. The society was divided into three orders priests, nobles and
peasants. Priests had kept themselves in the first order and the
nobles in the second order. But in practice, the nobility had a very
important role in social processes. It was so because they had
control over the land. This control was the result of a custom called
vassalage.

REPORT ERROR2.
How did long-term changes in population levels affect the economy and society
in Europe?
Sol. Long-term changes in population levels affect the economy and society
in Europe because of the following ways:

i. Long term change brought about a new change in agricultural

production. Production reached its peak. Good quality of goods was
also produced. It increased the life expectancy rate.
ii. A number of towns came into being. They also became the centre of
trade and commerce. Society became more advanced and civilised.
iii. The Span of life became longer with better food. By the 13th century,
an average European could expect to live 10 years longer than in the
8th century due to good quality of production.
iv. New towns emerged as centres of trade and commerce. Society
shifted towards advancement and became more civilized.
v. Peasants sold their surplus grains in the cities and brought tools and
goods.

REPORT ERROR3.
Why did knights become a distinct group, and when did they decline?
Sol. Local wars became a common feature of European society during the 9th
century. There was also a shortage of trade cavalry for these wars. The
adroit horsemen were the need of the hour to win these localized wars
among the nobles feudal. Taking advantage of this situation, the knights
became a distinct group precisely for achieving this aim. The fall of feudal
power paved the way for the decline of a knight during the 15th century.
REPORT ERROR4.
What was the function of medieval monasteries?
Sol. The monks lived in medieval monasteries. They spent their time in prayer,
study and manual labour like farming. It inspired the people to lead a
simple life. They also encouraged and developed art. In this way, medieval
monasteries were the centres of religious and cultural activities. People in
the monasteries led a simple life, inspired people to donate and to serve the
sick. They valued human attributes and preach the same.
REPORT ERROR5.
Imagine and describe a day in the life of a craftsman in a medieval French town.
Sol. Students are advised to answer this question with the help of their teachers.
Following guidelines are given to complete this task:

 Trading guilds controlled and supervised their activities and took

great care of their needs.
 Craftsmen worked under the supervision of guilds. They were
skilled persons.

REPORT ERROR6.
Compare the conditions of life for a French serf and a Roman slave.
Sol. French Serfs: They cultivated land that mainly belonged to the lord. Most
of the produce from this land was given to the lord. They also had to work
that belonged exclusively to the land and were given no wages.

i. They could not leave the estate without the prior permission of their
master/lord and could not marry their child according to their
wishes.
ii. The lord could decide their fate. As a whole, their life was full of
misery.

Roman Slaves: Slavery was a practice in Roman society. The Roman led
a life full of misery. They were forced to work for several hours. They
were forced to produce more children so that when they grew up, they
could also make slaves.