Important Questions and Answers for Class 11 History Chapter 4 The Three Orders 2025-26

1. Which of the following groups in medieval Europe belonged to the “First Order”?

• (a) Nobles
• (b) Peasants
• (c) Clergy
• (d) Kings

Answer: (c) Clergy.

2. The term ‘manor’ in medieval European society referred to:

• (a) A church
• (b) A castle
• (c) Agricultural estate of a lord
• (d) King’s treasury

Answer: (c) Agricultural estate of a lord.

3. Who among the following composed the bulk of the ‘Third Order’?

• (a) Monks
• (b) Knights
• (c) Peasants and townspeople
• (d) Bishops

Answer: (c) Peasants and townspeople.

2. Very Short Answer (VSA).

1. Define feudalism as per the context of medieval Europe.

Answer: Feudalism was a system in medieval Europe where land was granted by lords to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty.

2. Who were serfs in the manorial system?

Answer: Serfs were peasants who worked on a lord’s land and were bound to the estate, with limited freedom and rights.

3. Short Answer Questions.

1. Differentiate between the 'First Order' and the 'Second Order' in medieval society.

Answer: The ‘First Order’ was made up of the clergy who performed religious duties, while the ‘Second Order’ included nobles who were responsible for protection and governance. Both enjoyed special privileges and did not engage in manual labor.

2. Explain the significance of the manor in the life of medieval European peasants.

Answer: The manor was the central unit where peasants lived and worked. It provided security, resources, and land for cultivation, but in return, peasants owed labor, rents, and a share of their produce to the lord.

4. Long Answer Questions.

1. Describe the obligations and privileges of the three orders in European feudal society and explain their interdependent relationship.

Answer: The three orders—clergy, nobility, and peasants—had specific roles and privileges. The clergy (First Order) maintained spiritual services, received donations, and were exempt from taxes. Nobles (Second Order) protected society and collected dues. Peasants and townspeople (Third Order) worked the land, paid taxes and rents, but had the least privileges. These orders were interdependent as each relied on the others for economic, military, and religious needs.

1. Clergy provided spiritual guidance and ceremonies.
2. Nobility defended land and maintained law.
3. Peasants produced food and supported the upper orders.

2. Analyse how the rise of towns affected the structure of feudal society during the medieval period.

Answer: The emergence of towns brought social and economic changes in feudal Europe. Increasing trade and commerce empowered townspeople, creating a wealthy merchant class. This reduced the influence of the rural nobility and altered traditional land-based power. Towns also encouraged new occupations, weakening the stringent divisions of the three orders.

6. Case-based questions.

The local lord in a medieval European manor owned vast lands, supervised peasants, and collected rents. The church played a significant role in moral guidance and often owned its own estates. Peasants depended on both the lord and the church for daily needs and protection.

(i) Who supervised the work of peasants and collected rents?

Answer: The local lord supervised peasants and collected rents.

(ii) What major role did the church play in this system?

Answer: The church provided moral and spiritual guidance to the community.

(iii) How did peasants benefit from their relationship with the lord and church?

Answer: Peasants received protection, land to cultivate, and support in difficult times.

Understanding the Social Orders and Change in Medieval Europe

With these class 11 history chapter 4 important questions and answers, you get a focused overview of the three orders in medieval Europe. Practice these for clarity and better results in your school exams and to gain a deep insight into social changes during this era.

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Regular practice from history grade 11 unit 4 questions and answers supports your preparations and helps you write confident answers. Review the questions and answers in hindi and English to cover all exam needs for CBSE 2025-26.

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