Unit Plan 6 (Grade 7 Social Studies): Medieval Europe—Feudal Life and Power
Describe feudal hierarchies—lords, vassals, serfs, and manors—and explain how land-for-loyalty bonds and the Church’s legal and cultural power shaped medieval European society.
Focus: Describe feudalism’s structure (lords–vassals–serfs, fiefs, homage/fealty, manorialism) and explain how the Church shaped law, culture, and power in medieval Europe.
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: Social Studies (World History • Civics • Geography • Inquiry)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students investigate how land-for-loyalty relationships organized medieval political power and everyday life. Using maps, diagrams, and short source excerpts (oaths, manor court rolls, monastic rules, town charters), learners analyze how manorial economies supported nobility and how the medieval Church (parishes, monasteries, bishops, papacy) influenced law, education, and legitimacy.
Essential Questions
- How did feudal obligations structure power and daily life for lords, vassals, and peasants?
- In what ways did the Church reinforce or challenge secular (non-religious) authority?
- Whose experiences are most visible—and least visible—in sources about medieval Europe?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Describe the feudal hierarchy and explain how fiefs, homage, and fealty organized power.
- Explain causes/effects linking warfare, land grants, and the rise of manorialism (Hist.2).
- Compare roles/rights/responsibilities of nobles, knights, peasants/serfs, clergy, and townspeople (Civ.3).
- Analyze how rulers and Church leaders justified authority/legitimacy (Civ.2).
- Evaluate diverse perspectives/experiences in medieval Europe using short primary/secondary sources (Hist.3).
Standards Alignment — 7th Grade (C3-based custom)
- 7.C3.Hist.2 — Causes/effects of major developments.
- 7.C3.Hist.3 — Diverse perspectives/experiences.
- 7.C3.Civ.1 — Forms of government and authority.
- 7.C3.Civ.2 — Power, authority, legitimacy.
- 7.C3.Civ.3 — Roles, rights, responsibilities.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can diagram feudal relationships and explain how land and loyalty exchanged power.
- I can use evidence from an oath, charter, or court roll to show how authority worked.
- I can compare how nobles, serfs, clergy, and townspeople experienced rights and duties.