Unit: Medieval Europe

Lesson Title: Comparing Feudal Societies (See textbook pages 248 – 251)

Feudalism was not unique to Europe. The Japanese developed a similar system halfwayaround the world at the same time.

In both societies, land was the basis for the feudalsystem. In Europe, kings and lords gave land (fiefs) to knights.

Knights promised to serve and fight for them in return.

In Japan, the daimyos were large land owners whoemployed samurai (warriors).

The samurai (like knights) promised to serve and fight for their daimyos. In return, they received rice and grain.

In Europe, peasants and serfs worked the land andpaid the lords in food for protection.

In Japan, peasants paid their lords for protection with rice and grain, which the lords used to pay samurai.

In class reading activity

Read “Knights and Samurai” on pages 249-250.

Answer these questions:

1. How were the lives of knights

and samurai similar?

2. According to the Code of Chivalry,

how were knights required to behave?

3. How did both knights and samurai

react when faced with difficult odds?

The Knights

The Knights’ Armor

A knight’s armor could weigh as much as 60 pounds.

His sword could weigh as much 32 pounds.

Although feudal European and Japanese societies were the same in some ways, in most waysthey were not. Their cultures were very different.

Right Side Notebook ActivityRead “Europe and Japan Differ” (pages 250-251)

Create a diamante poem that compares and contrasts medieval Japan and Europe. It should be written in the shape of a diamond, with the shortest lines at the top and bottom and longest lines in the middle.

Line 1 – Topic (Japan)

Line 2 - Religion (Japan)

Line 3 – Art (Japan)

Line 4 – What

Line 5 – they had

Line 6 – in common

Line 7 – Art (Europe)

Line 8 - Religion (Europe)

Line 9 - Topic (Europe)

Which society would you have preferred to

live in? Why?

Lesson wrap-up