Medieval Feudal System and Islamic Empire: Key Concepts and Figures

Manors

Large estates owned by lords that included the lord's house, farmland, and villages.

Kings

The highest-ranking rulers in the feudal system who owned all the land and granted portions to lords.

Lords

Noblemen who were granted land by the king and had vassals and serfs working on their estates.

Knights/Vassals

Warriors who served lords in exchange for land and protection; they were often mounted soldiers.

Serfs/Peasants

Farmers who worked the land for lords and were bound to the manor; they had limited rights.

What did Serfs get in return for working for Lords?

Serfs received protection, a place to live, and the right to work the land for their own sustenance.

Chivalry

A code of conduct associated with the medieval knightly system, emphasizing bravery, honor, and respect for women.

Castles

Fortified structures built by lords for defense and as a residence; they served as the center of feudal power.

Byzantine Empire

Eastern Christian empire in the Middle East before Islam's rise.

Sassanid Empire

Persian empire practicing Zoroastrianism; rival of Byzantines.

Bedouins

Nomadic Arab tribes skilled in herding and warfare.

Clan

Basic social unit in Arab society; extended family through male line.

Mecca

Holy city of Islam; home of the Ka'ba.

Ka'ba

Sacred shrine in Mecca containing a black stone from heaven.

Muhammad

Founder and prophet of Islam; received revelations from God.

Qur'an (Koran)

Holy book of Islam; God's exact words to Muhammad.

Hadith

Collection of Muhammad's sayings and actions.

Sunna

Islamic tradition combining Qur'an and Hadith.

Hijra

Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE; start of Muslim calendar.

Umma

Muslim religious and political community founded by Muhammad.

Islam

Religion meaning 'submission to God.'

Muslim

Follower of Islam; 'one who submits.'

Allah

Arabic word for God.

Five Pillars of Islam

Core duties: faith, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, pilgrimage.

Shari'a

Islamic sacred law based on the Qur'an and Hadith.

Jihad

'Striving in the path of God'; spiritual or physical struggle.

Caliph

Successor to Muhammad as leader of Islam.

Abu Bakr

First caliph after Muhammad's death.

Ali

Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law; key figure in Shi'a Islam.

Sunni

Majority Muslim branch; accepted first elected caliphs.

Shi'a (Shi'ites)

Minority branch; believe only Muhammad's descendants through Ali can lead.

Umayyad Caliphate

Dynasty that ruled from Damascus and expanded Islam.

Al-Khwarizmi

Mathematician who wrote Algebra and introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals.

Al-Razi (Rhazes)

Physician who distinguished measles from smallpox.

Ibn-Sina (Avicenna)

Author of Canon of Medicine; described diseases and treatments.

Toledo, Spain

Center for translating Islamic science and philosophy into Latin.

Córdoba

Spanish city famous for Muslim learning and medicine.

Ramadan

Holy month of fasting and prayer in Islam.

What is a crusade?

A long series of wars started by the Christians for the Holy Land from the Muslims.

Where is the Holy Land?

The same region as the Ottoman Empire; modern Israel, Lebanon, and Iraq.

Who asked for help against the Turks?

The Byzantine emperor, Alexius I Commenus.

Who rallied the Christians of Europe to help in 1095 A.D.?

Pope Urban II.

What are three reasons people fought in the Crusades?

1. Religious motivation - promise of salvation. 2. Glory - great adventure and promise of fame. 3. Riches - some gained land or plundered cities.

What was a unifying factor for Christians during the Crusades?

It gave Christians a common enemy so they would fight less amongst themselves.