Magna Carta
A charter of rights agreed to by King John of England in 1215, which limited the powers of the monarchy and established certain legal protections for subjects.
English Parliament
The supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, consisting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, which has the authority to make and pass laws.
manorial system
An economic and social system that was prevalent in medieval Europe, where the lord of a manor exploited the labor of peasants who worked the land in exchange for protection and a place to live.
feudalism
A social and economic system in medieval Europe characterized by the exchange of land for military service, where lords granted land to vassals in return for loyalty and protection.
serfs
Peasants who were bound to the land and under the control of a lord, unable to leave the manor without permission and required to work the lord's land.
primogeniture
A legal principle that dictates that the firstborn child, typically the eldest son, inherits the entire estate or property, preventing the division of land among multiple heirs.
bourgeoisie
The middle class in society, particularly in the context of the capitalist economy, characterized by their ownership of capital and their role in commerce and industry.
Otto I
A German king who became the first Holy Roman Emperor in 962, known for consolidating power in Germany and promoting the Christian church.
Crusades
A series of religious wars initiated by European Christians in the 11th to 13th centuries aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim control.
Marco Polo
A Venetian merchant and explorer whose travels to Asia in the late 13th century were documented in "The Travels of Marco Polo," influencing European knowledge of the East.
Renaissance
A cultural, artistic, and intellectual revival that began in Italy in the 14th century and spread throughout Europe, characterized by a renewed interest in classical antiquity.
humanism
An intellectual movement during the Renaissance that emphasized the study of classical texts, human potential, and individualism, focusing on human values and concerns.
Great Schism
The division of the Christian church in 1054 into the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, primarily due to theological and political differences.
antisemitism
Prejudice, discrimination, or hostility against Jews, often manifesting in social, economic, and political forms throughout history.
Little Ice Age
A period of cooler temperatures that lasted from the 14th to the mid-19th century, affecting climate patterns in Europe and North America, leading to agricultural challenges.