European Medieval Age Vocabulary

feudalism

social, political, and economic system based on protection and payments

Vikings

seafaring Scandinavian people who raided the coasts of northern and western Europe from the 700s-1000s AD.

hierarchy

a system of organizing people into ranks-- those with higher rank have more power and privileges

monarch

term for a king or queen-- someone with "royal blood"

fief

land given to noble, usually by a king

noble/ lord

landowner who provided food & protection to his vassals in exchange for their service to him

castle

Often served as the home for the lord of the manor; it was designed for protection and often was surrounded by a wall and/or a moat (water)

manor

land owned and operated by a noble-- where people lived, worked and worshipped

knight

Provided protection-- used by nobles to serve in king's army and to protect the manor

chivalry

code of conduct for knights-- included protecting the manor, the "weak" and supporting the Church

peasant

Worker on the manor-- worked for the noble in exchange for food and a place to live; very few rights

serf

peasant who was tied to the land-- could not leave without permission of the noble

vassal

person who wanted help-- such as a place to live, food, etc. In exchange he would provide a service

guild

Organizations of skilled workers who did the same craft, such as masons and plasterers. They set prices, quality standards, and kept out competition

Roman Catholic Church

the most powerful social force in the Middle Ages-- it was the largest landowner, charged its own taxes, and even built schools

cathedral

A large christian church where a bishop would live

Gothic

architecture most associated with churches and cathedrals with pointed arches and steep roofs. Flying buttresses are used to support heavy stones

France

European country between Spain and Germany. Known for the city of Paris, baguettes, fine art and the Eiffel Tower.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks-- united most all of Europe under Christianity; first Holy Roman Emperor

England

An island nation off the Atlantic Ocean that was invaded by Normans in 1066 and became a monarchy. Known for British Royalty, the city of London, and William Shakespeare.

King Richard (the Lionheart)

King of England who fought against and signed a truce with Saladin in the 3rd Crusade. His brother John ruled England while he was off at war.

Magna Carta

"The Great Charter"; a written legal agreement signed in 1215 that limited the English King's power

and listed the rights of English citizens.

Parliament

the lawmaking body of England, consisting of representatives from through out the kingdom

Ottoman Empire

Islamic state in the Middle East that conquered the Byzantine Empire using gunpowder and cannons. Renamed Constantinople to Istanbul. Lasted from 1300s to 1912.

Crusades

A series of holy wars from 1096-1270 AD undertaken by European Christians to free the Holy Land around Jerusalem from Muslim rule.

Bubonic Plague

Also called the Black Death; is a deadly disease that spread through Asia and Europe and killed 30-50% of the people in Europe.