Feudalism and Social Structure in Medieval Europe

This set of flashcards covers the key concepts and terms related to feudalism, the social structure in medieval Europe, and significant historical events.

Nobility

A social class protected society and earned wealth from their fiefdoms, lands given by the king or higher nobles.

Fiefdom

Lands granted to vassals by a king or higher noble, which were entailed property, inherited, and could not be sold.

Vassals

Individuals who received a fief and became feudal lords, holding authority over peasants and living off their rents.

Duties of Lords

Responsibilities include protecting the population, providing food during famines, and supplying seeds and farming tools.

Rights of Lords

Powers to make laws, judge peasants, collect fines, and impose taxes and tolls.

Knights

Nobles trained from youth to become warriors, expected to be courageous, loyal, and to defend the weak.

Courtly Love (definition)

An idealized and chivalrous form of love that inspired troubadours' poetry.

Medieval Cities

Cities were key centers for trade. Artisans formed guilds to regulate work, quality, prices and limit competition. Artisans lived on streets named after their trade.

City Life

Medieval cities included nobles, clergy and many poor people. City residents were free. Serfs who lived in a city for a year without being claimed by their lord gained freedom

Bourgeoisie

A new social class emerging from merchants and business owners in medieval cities.

Upper Bourgeoisie

Wealthy merchants and bankers that formed the upper tier of the bourgeoisie.

Petty Bourgeoisie

Artisans and small-scale merchants within the bourgeoisie class.

Hispanic Marches

Territories established by Charlemagne as a border against Al-Andalus, extending from Pamplona to Barcelona.

New Entities

After 814, the counties became independent, forming the Kingdom of Pamplona, Aragonese and Catalan Counties

Kingdom of Pamplona

A kingdom that reached its greatest expansion under Sancho III, uniting Navarre, León, Castile, and Aragón.

Catalan Counties

Wilfred made his position hereditary, Borrell II refused to be a vassal of Frankish

Compromise of Caspe

An agreement in 1412 that resolved the succession problem after King Martin I's death and established Fernando I as the king, uniting Castile and Aragón under the Trastámara dynasty.

First Civil War (Castile)

Conflict between Pedro I and his half-brother Enrique II that led to the end of the Borgoña line and the rise of the Trastámara dynasty.

Second Civil War (Castile)

A struggle between Isabel and Juana la Beltraneja, resulting in Isabel's ascension to the throne with Aragonese support.

Lady of the Castle

The lady manage the familiar house, raised children and sometimes governed the castle. She brought giving her influence. Manu ladies able to read, write and play instruments…