Were currently studying the early middle ages in western europe. I have been assigned a huge ammount of homework and need some help on two questoins.

Question

Why would a lord grant an estate to a vassal?

Describe the Franks?

Neither was mentioned in class or the text. I think the second question is describe the Franks in the time frame of the early middle ages not now.

Time frame is like 700-1000
The book talks about the Manor an economic system.
The medieval church and stuff of the sort.

Thanks for help

Answer 1

http://www.google.com/search?q=FEUDALISM&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGIH
Ignoring the links to games (!!), there are many sites in here that will help you with your first question. What the question is asking about is a practice in feudalism.

The Franks were the people who preceded the modern French people:
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ab74

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franks

Answer 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feudalism#Characteristics
Read especially about Lords, Vassals, and Fiefs.