NCERT Solutions for Class 11 History Chapter 4 The Three Orders (2025-26)

Factual Section

1. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

1. Describe two features of early feudal society in France.

Answer: Two features of early feudal society in France were:

• Society was divided mainly into lords (nobles), clergy, and peasants.
• Peasants had to offer labour and a part of their produce to their lords in return for protection and land to cultivate.

2. How did long-term changes in population levels affect economy and society in Europe?

Answer: Long-term changes in population, such as growth due to surplus food, led to increased economic activity, urbanization, rise in towns and a middle class. Conversely, sharp decline in population during plague caused labour shortages and social unrest, changing economic relationships between lords and peasants.

3. Why did knights become a distinct group, and when did they decline?

Answer: Knights became a distinct group as mounted warriors pledged to serve their lords. Their distinct status was due to their military role and code. They declined with the rise of strong monarchies and standing armies using new technologies like gunpowder.

4. What was the function of medieval monasteries?

Answer: Medieval monasteries served as centers of religious worship, learning, and social welfare. Monks and nuns engaged in prayer, meditation, and copied manuscripts. They also provided care for the poor, sick, and travelers.

2. Answer the following questions in about 100-150 words.

1. Imagine and describe a day in the life of a craftsman in a medieval French town.

Answer: A craftsman in a medieval French town would begin his day early, working in his small workshop often attached to his house. Belonging to a guild, he would follow specific rules for quality, pricing, and work hours. He would spend time on tasks like making shoes, metal wares, or weaving cloth, using tools and skills handed down through generations. Customers, traders, and apprentices would engage with him during the day. He would take part in guild activities and town markets, and social life often revolved around these economic and community groups. Evenings might be spent with family or in community gatherings, sometimes participating in religious or festival activities in the town square or local church.

2. Compare the conditions of life for a French serf and a Roman slave.

Answer: Both French serfs and Roman slaves led difficult lives, but there were differences. A Roman slave was considered property and had no legal rights; he could be bought, sold, or punished severely. Slaves did all kinds of work and had no family rights. A French serf, though unfree, was tied to the land but not owned by a master. Serfs had to provide labour and a part of their produce to their lords but could maintain families and homes. They could not be sold independently from the land, and over time, some serfs could buy their freedom or become free through manumission.

3. What was the contribution of monasteries to European civilization?

Answer: Monasteries contributed significantly to European civilization by preserving classical knowledge and manuscripts, providing education, and fostering literacy. They offered welfare to the poor and sick, maintained hospitality for travelers, and played a key role in agricultural innovation. Monks copied texts, maintained libraries, and their strict discipline set examples for moral and communal life. Monasteries acted as cultural, spiritual, and economic centers, shaping medieval European society.

3. Answer the following questions in about 250-300 words.

1. Describe the structure and organization of the three orders in medieval European society. How did each order contribute to the society?

Answer: Medieval European society was structured into three orders: the clergy, the nobility (knights and lords), and the peasants (including serfs, tenants, and free peasants).

• Clergy: This order included popes, bishops, priests, monks, and nuns. They were responsible for spiritual needs, conducting services, education, and welfare. Their influence extended to all spheres of life—religious, social, and cultural.
• Nobility: Lords and knights formed the fighting class. They provided protection to the people, maintained law and order, and governed large estates granted by the king. The nobility also managed the administration and sponsored architecture and art.
• Peasants: The largest group, peasants, worked the land and produced food for society. Serfs were tied to the lord’s land, while some were relatively free. They sustained the entire economic base of society by their agricultural labour.

Each order had specific roles—clergy prayed, nobility fought, and peasants worked. This tripartite division provided stability, structure, and helped in the functioning and progress of medieval Europe. However, it also meant limited social mobility and privileges for each group.

SEO Section: Understanding NCERT Solutions for Class 11 History Chapter 4 The Three Orders (2025-26)

The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 History Chapter 4 The Three Orders (2025-26) provide a deep dive into medieval European society. By mastering these solutions, students can easily grasp the hierarchy and social roles of the clergy, nobility, and peasants.

Focusing on the chapter-wise NCERT solutions helps students develop a strong foundation for their exams. Understanding the significance of the three orders improves conceptual clarity and supports better retention of historical facts and timelines.

Regular practice of exercise-based questions from this chapter not only boosts confidence but also prepares students to answer both short and long questions more effectively, ensuring higher marks in the CBSE exams.