A Day in the Life of a Medieval Serf
As the rooster crowed and the sun began to peek over the horizon, young Alfred, a serf, woke up for another long day. His day began with laborious tasks in the fields; planting, harvesting, or tending animals. Unlike the nobles who lived in the manor, Alfred and his family resided in a simple wooden hut. Despite his hard work, Alfred had no personal rights. He was bound to the land, unable to leave it without the lord's permission. This was the harsh reality of serfdom, a system that originated when the Roman Empire fell. Over time, revolts, wars, and the growth of trade and cities eventually led to the decline of serfdom.
Question 1
What does the term 'serfdom' refer to?
A form of slavery
Explanation. Serfdom is a system of labor where serfs, who were essentially peasants, were tied to the land and the lord's control. It's a form of slavery as they didn't have personal rights and couldn't leave the land without the lord's permission.
A type of farming
A noble status
A type of house
A form of governmental rule
Question 2
How did Alfred's life compare to that of the nobles?
Alfred had more freedom than the nobles
Alfred lived in a grand manor while the nobles lived in huts
Alfred had personal rights while the nobles didn't
Alfred lived in a simple hut while the nobles lived in a manor
Explanation. The text states that unlike the nobles who lived in a manor, Alfred and his family resided in a simple wooden hut, indicating a stark difference in their living conditions.
Alfred and the nobles lived the same lifestyle
Question 3
What led to the decline of serfdom?
The rise of the Roman Empire
The invention of farming tools
The crowing of the rooster
Revolt, wars, and the growth of trade and cities
Explanation. The text states that over time, revolts, wars, and the growth of trade and cities eventually led to the decline of serfdom.
The birth of Alfred
Question 4
Who was Alfred?
A noble
A lord
A serf
Explanation. The text identifies Alfred as a young serf who had no personal rights and was bound to the land.
A rooster
A city trader
Question 5
When did the system of serfdom originate?
When the Roman Empire fell
Explanation. The text states that the system of serfdom originated when the Roman Empire fell.
When the rooster crowed
During the rise of the nobles
During Alfred's lifetime
During the growth of cities
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