Europe in the Middle Ages: Nation-States, Feudalism, and the Patchwork of Territories

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to feudalism, medieval political structures, and the transition toward nation-states in Europe.

Nation-state

A sovereign state whose borders align with a recognized nation; today Europe is dominated by nation-states, unlike 825 years ago when none existed.

Medieval Europe microstates

Very small states within medieval Europe, many of which were feudal microstates; historians estimate about 1000 states across Europe in the Middle Ages.

Feudal microstate

A very small state operating under the feudal system, with power distributed among lords and vassals.

Empire

A large political unit that rules over diverse territories, often across different peoples.

City-state

An independent city and its surrounding territory that governs itself.

Kingdom

A territory ruled by a king.

Duchy

A territory ruled by a duke.

Grand Duchy

A territory ruled by a grand duke.

Electorate

A state within the Holy Roman Empire whose ruler had the right to vote for the emperor.

Principality

A territory ruled by a prince.

Free Imperial City

A city within the Holy Roman Empire with imperial immediacy, reporting directly to the emperor.

Ecclesiastical territory

A territory governed by church authorities such as bishoprics or abbeys.

Fealty

The fidelity owed by a vassal to his feudal lord.

Vassalage

The condition of being a vassal, including loyalty and service to a lord.

Homage

The formal oath of allegiance by a vassal to his lord.

Vassal

A knight or lesser noble who held land from a lord in exchange for military service.

Overlord

The lord who grants land (a fief) to a vassal in return for military or other service.

Fief

A piece of land or a feudal estate granted to a vassal.

Manor

The estate of a feudal lord, including the manor house, land, and associated buildings.

Manorialism

The economic system of medieval Europe where serfs worked the lord’s lands and paid rents for protection.

Feudalism

The political system in which an overlord grants land to knights in exchange for military service; peasants provide labor and food in return for protection.

Knight

A mounted warrior who owed military service to a lord within the feudal system.

Peasant (serf/villein)

A person who worked the lord’s land and paid rents; serfs were bound to the manor and provided labor.

Tithe

A tax or levy (often paid in kind) collected from peasants, typically for the church.