social studies notes

Geography of europe

continent defined by peninsulas, strategic seas, mountain ranges with minerals, and navigable rivers that provide sea access

Peninsulas

landforms like the iberian, apennine, and peloponnesian that feature many natural harbors

Seas

bodies of water including the mediterranean, north, and black seas that serve as critical trading ports

Straits

narrow water passages like gibraltar and messina that make toll collection easy for rulers

Mountains

mineral-rich ranges including the alps, dolomites, apennines, and pyrenees

Rivers

waterways like the thames, po, danube, rhine, and tiber that provide vital sea access and resources

English channel

strategic body of water located between england and france

The first born son

individual who inherits everything under the medieval system of primogeniture

Germanic tribes

groups that took over much of europe and established kingdoms after the fall of rome

Franks

germanic tribe that took over present-day france and germany

Charles martel

mayor of the palace who defeated the moorish army at the battle of tours and began the carolingian dynasty

Charles pepin

son of charles martel who drove the lombards out of italy and created the papal states

Charlemagne

charles the great who was crowned king of the holy roman empire on christmas day in 800 ad

Aachen

capital city established by charlemagne located in france just over the german border

Schools

educational institutions built for counts' children that utilized the first curriculum of math, latin, music, literature, and religion

Monasteries and churches

centers built across the empire to spread christianity and preserve learning through copied texts

Vikings

scandinavian raiders and traders who swept through europe, later creating settlements and converting to christianity

Lindisarne abbey

island monastery off the british coast that suffered the first recorded viking attack in 793 ad

Viking longship

naval vessel featuring a shallow draft ideal for coastal and river raiding

Norse mythology

polytheistic religion of the early vikings featuring gods like odin, thor, freyja, and loki

Valhalla

majestic hall in asgard that serves as the viking heaven for fallen warriors

The manor

self-sufficient economic center of life during the middle ages where serfs worked and knights provided protection

Feudalism

political system based on service for protection where vassals served the king and lords protected serfs

Code of chivalry

strict code of conduct requiring knights to demonstrate fair play, nobility, valor, honor, courtesy, and loyalty