NAME

DATE

Primary Source Activity

CLASS

netw rks

Medieval Europe
Lesson 2 Feudalism and the Rise of Towns

Introduction to Excerpts:
From Froissart's Chronicles: The Lives of
Peasants and Knights
Jean Froissart was a medieval scholar, poet, and historian.
His Chronicles provide modern readers with first-hand
observations of life during the late 1300s. Froissart traveled
among the royal courts of Europe. He interviewed important
people and observed key events, such as battles, weddings,
and funerals. He spent most of his time among the educated
nobility rather than among ordinary people. As a result, his
writing focuses on events and ideas his noble audiences
wanted to read aboutbattles, chivalry, and nobilitynot the
workers or the poor.
Excerpt 1
It is customary in England, as well as in several other countries, for the nobility
to have great privileges [power] over the [common people], whom they keep in
bondage [slavery]; that is to say, they are bound by law and custom to plough
the lands of gentlemen, to harvest the grain, to carry it home to the barn, to
thrash and winnow it: they are also [forced] to harvest the hay and carry it
home.

Now, sirs, though we be but a small company as in regard to the puissance

[strength] of our enemies, let us not be abashed [ashamed] therefore; for the
victory lieth [lies] not in the multitude [great number] of people, but whereas
God will send it. If it fortune that the journey be ours, we shall be the most
honored people of all the world; and if we die in our right quarrel, [our families]
shall revenge us. Therefore, sirs, for God's sake I require you do your devoirs
[duties] this day; for if God be pleased . . . , this day ye shall see me a good
knight.

Copyright by The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Excerpt 2
From Of the Battle of Poitiers Between the Prince of
Wales and the French King

NAME

DATE

Primary Source Activity Cont.

CLASS

netw rks

Medieval Europe

Directions Answer the following questions about the excerpts

you read above.

Analyzing Primary Sources

1. Identifying According to Excerpt 1, what was life like for
peasants? Give examples to support your answer.

2. Summarizing In Excerpt 2, what did the English prince

tell his knights and soldiers?

3. Analyzing What does Excerpt 2 suggest that life was like

for medieval knights and soldiers?

Copyright by The McGraw-Hill Companies.

NAME

DATE

Primary Source Activity Cont.

CLASS

netw rks

Medieval Europe
Critical Thinking
4. Comparing and Contrasting How was life similar and
different for knights and peasants? Support your answer
with details from the excerpts and from what you have
learned from reading your textbook.

5. Analyzing Who did Froissart think was more important

knights or peasants? How can you tell?

Copyright by The McGraw-Hill Companies.