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Difficulty: MediumThe Norman Conquest

Following the Norman Conquest of 10661066, William the Conqueror significantly transformed the way land was managed and held in England. Which of the following best describes the 'feudal' system he established?

  1. The King was the ultimate owner of all land and granted parts of it to his lords in exchange for military service and loyalty.Answer
  2. B
    Land ownership was based on the earlier Roman system, where every citizen was granted a plot of land by a central governor in London.
  3. C
    Viking chieftains were permitted to retain their territories and collect taxes on behalf of the King of Denmark.
  4. D
    King Henry VIII seized the land from the nobility to establish a democratic system based on local town councils.

Answer

The King was the ultimate owner of all land and granted parts of it to his lords in exchange for military service and loyalty.
The correct answer is that the King owned all the land and granted it to his nobles (tenants-in-chief) in exchange for military service and loyalty. This system, known as feudalism, allowed William the Conqueror to consolidate power and ensure he had a ready army to defend his new kingdom.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the historical event and the figure mentioned in the stem.
The event is the Norman Conquest (10661066) and the figure is William the Conqueror.
Establishing the correct historical context is essential for recalling the specific social changes introduced.
2
Recall the characteristics of the feudal system introduced by William I.
The feudal system was a hierarchy where the King owned all the land and distributed it to his followers in exchange for their service.
This is the primary way land was restructured after the Battle of Hastings.
3
Evaluate the options based on the definition of feudalism.
The option describing the King as the ultimate owner who exchanges land for military service matches the definition.
This confirms the correct answer while filtering out chronological errors like the Romans, Vikings, or Tudors.

Key Concept

The Feudal System in Norman England
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

The Norman Conquest

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