Script: The Feudal System

Subject: History | Year: 7

Class/Set: ____________ Date: ____________

Context/Background: Following the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William the Conqueror needed a way to control England with only a few thousand Normans. He introduced the Feudal System, a social hierarchy based on land ownership and loyalty. In this system, the King owned all the land and granted 'fiefs' to his Barons in exchange for military service and advice. These Barons then sub-divided their land among Knights, who provided protection and fought in the King’s name. At the very bottom were the peasants (villeins), who laboured on the land to provide food for everyone above them. This script explores the delicate negotiations and the 'Great Chain of Being' that held medieval society together.

Setting: A cold, stone hall in Westminster (The King’s Court) followed by the muddy fields of a village manor.

Characters:

• King William I: (The Conqueror) Authoritative, stern, and pragmatic. He views England as his personal property.
• Baron de Lacy: (A Tenant-in-Chief) Wealthy and ambitious, but aware that his power depends entirely on the King’s favour.
• Sir Thomas: (A Norman Knight) Loyal and disciplined, but concerned about the cost of his armour and horses.
• Robin: (A Saxon Peasant) Tired, resilient, and cautious. He represents the 90% of the population who work the land.

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King William: (Pacing the stone floor, his heavy cloak trailing behind him) Baron de Lacy, my patience wears thin. I have secured this kingdom with blood, yet the northern borders remain unruly. I need a man of strength to hold the lands in Yorkshire.

Baron de Lacy: (Bowing deeply, his hand on his sword hilt) Your Majesty knows my loyalty is as iron. I would hold the north for you, but such a task requires vast resources. My men are weary from the march to London.

King William: (Stopping abruptly to face him) Do not speak to me of weariness! I offer you a 'fief'—ten thousand acres of rich English soil, three manors, and the right to collect all taxes from the villages therein. In return, you shall be my 'vassal'.

Baron de Lacy: (His eyes widening slightly at the mention of the land) Ten thousand acres? That is a generous gift, Sire. And what is the 'service' you require in exchange for such a grand fiefdom?

King William: (Leaning in, his voice dropping to a low growl) You will provide forty knights for my army, fully equipped, for forty days of every year. You will sit on my Great Council and provide 'scutage'—shield money—if you fail to bring the men. Do we have an accord?

Baron de Lacy: (Kneeling and placing his hands between the King’s) I become your man from this day forward. I swear 'fealty' to you, Sire. My life and my lands are yours.

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(The scene shifts to the Baron’s new manor house. Sir Thomas, the Knight, enters.)

Baron de Lacy: (Seated at a wooden table, looking over a map) Sir Thomas, you served me well at Hastings. I am granting you a manor in this northern fief. It is a fine village with good grazing land.

Sir Thomas: (Removing his helmet, looking exhausted) A manor of my own? It would be an honour, my Lord. But a knight’s life is expensive. I must provide my own destrier, my chainmail, and my weapons.

Baron de Lacy: (Pointing to the map) Which is why I give you this land. You will take the 'demesne'—the best fields—for yourself. The peasants will work them for you. You will be the Lord of the Manor.

Sir Thomas: (Nodding slowly) And in return, I assume I must answer your call to arms?

Baron de Lacy: (Firmly) Correct. When the King calls me, I call you. You must provide forty days of military service. You must also hold the local 'Manor Court' to ensure the peasants do not steal or flee. You are the law in this village now.

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(The scene shifts to the muddy outskirts of the village. Sir Thomas approaches Robin, who is leaning on a wooden spade.)

Sir Thomas: (Looking down from his horse, his voice commanding) You there! You are the headman of this village?

Robin: (Wiping sweat from his brow, speaking with a heavy accent) I am Robin, sir. We heard a new Lord was coming. We hoped he might bring lower taxes.

Sir Thomas: (Laughing coldly) Taxes pay for the King’s peace, peasant. I am Sir Thomas, and this land is now mine by right of the Baron. You are a 'villein'. You are tied to this soil.

Robin: (Sighing, looking at his worn boots) We have little left to give, Master. The harvest was poor, and the wolves took three sheep last winter.

Sir Thomas: (Pointing to the central field) Here is the deal. I provide you with protection. When the Vikings or the Scots come raiding, you may hide within the walls of my manor. In exchange, you will work my 'demesne' three days a week. You will give me a portion of your grain, your eggs, and your ale.

Robin: (Looking at his hands) Three days on your land? That leaves us little time for our own strips. My family will go hungry if the rains come early.

Sir Thomas: (Harshly) Without my sword, your family will be dead before the rains even start! You give me your labour and your 'homage', and I give you safety. That is the way of the world. It is the 'Great Chain' that God himself ordained.

Robin: (Lowering his head in resignation) We have no choice, it seems. We give our backs so you can keep your shields. We shall do as you command, Lord Thomas.

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Task A: Vocabulary Check Define: Using the script above, write a short definition for the following three terms:

1. Fief: _________________________________________________________________
2. Vassal: _______________________________________________________________
3. Fealty: _______________________________________________________________

Task B: Analysis (PEE Paragraph) Explain: Why was the Feudal System beneficial for King William? Point: King William used the Feudal System to... Evidence: In the script, it says... Explanation: This shows that...

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Epilogue / What Happened Next: The Feudal System successfully allowed William I to maintain control over a hostile population without needing a massive standing army. However, it created a society where power was concentrated at the top and the majority of people had very few rights. Over the next few centuries, this system would eventually break down due to events like the Black Death (which made peasant labour more valuable) and the signing of the Magna Carta, which began to limit the King's absolute power.

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⚠ TEACHER’S GUIDANCE

💡 Pedagogical Opportunity

• Drama Strategy: Use a 'Conscience Alley' activity after the script. Have one student play Robin (the peasant) walking down an alley of classmates. One side gives reasons to accept the Feudal System (safety, land), the other side gives reasons to hate it (hard labour, no freedom).
• Misconception Alert: Ensure students understand that 'Feudalism' wasn't a single law, but a set of customs. Also, clarify that peasants weren't 'slaves'—they had some rights under the Manor Court, though they were very limited.
• Differentiation: For GDS (Greater Depth) students, ask them to identify the 'reciprocal' nature of the system (everyone gives something to get something).

✅ Answer Key & Mirror-Labeling

Task A Answer: Vocabulary Check

1. Fief: An area of land granted by a Lord to a vassal in exchange for service.
2. Vassal: A person (like a Baron or Knight) who held land from a superior and promised them loyalty and service.
3. Fealty: A formal oath of loyalty and faithfulness made by a vassal to their Lord.

Task B Answer: Analysis (PEE Paragraph)

• Point: King William used the Feudal System to secure military protection and control over England without paying for a full-time army.
• Evidence: In the script, King William demands that Baron de Lacy provide "forty knights for my army" in exchange for the "fief" of ten thousand acres.
• Explanation: This shows that the system was a trade; William used land (which he had plenty of) as a form of currency to buy the military loyalty he needed to keep his throne.

🛡 Safety & Nuance Check

• Historical Sensitivity: While the script portrays the harsh reality of peasant life, ensure students understand the medieval worldview of the 'Great Chain of Being'—the belief that God had chosen everyone's place in society. This helps them understand why people accepted the system for so long.