HUMANITIES EXAM

lords

wealthy landowners and nobles in the feudal system.

vassals

people who offered their loyalty and service to a lord in return for protection and the granting of land

feudalism

a set of legal and military customs that served to organise the society of medieval Europe and Japan

Knights

Warriors in medieval Europe, who served their sovereign or lord as a mounted solider in armour.

fief

a parcel of land which was given to a vassal by a noble lord.

moat

a wide body of water surrounding a castle that provided protection in the event of an attack.

clergy

the priests or ministers of a religion, especially the catholic church.

excommunication

when a person is cut off from the church community (including the participation in communion and confession); a religious punishment.

Silk road

a network of trade routes stretching west of China to the Mediterranean Sea; it was the main means by chich silk was introduced to the west.

Illuminated manuscripts

Ornate Medieval texts. They featured highly detailed illustrations decorated with gold and silver.

heresy

the act of doing something in serious conflict with the teachings of the church.

treason

the act of betraying one's country or ruler

Magna Carta

Means 'Great Charter'. It's a document signed by England's King John and his nobles in 1215. It outlined the rights of the people.

battlement

the top of the wall around a castle with spaces where soldiers could shoot the enemy

chivalry

polite and respectful behaviour that shows a sense of honor, especially men towards women.

pandemic

a term used to describe the spread of an infectious disease across an entire country

buboes

The blackened, swollen, lymph nodes, which are part of the immune system, that are on the body of someone with the bubonic plague.

pneumonic plague

the second most common form of the Black Death. It attacked s person's respiratory system and was spread through the air by coughing. It was deadlier than the bubonic plague.

Septicemic plague

The rarest and deadliest form of the black death. It killed almost 100% of its victims.

nomadic

a society of people who didn't live in a set place but moved around, usually in search of food and shelter.

quarantine

a period of time when an animal or human that has or may have a disease is kept away from others in order to prevent disease from spreading.

flagellants

A group of radical Christians during the Black Death who whipped themselves to gain God's forgiveness for their sins.

depopulation

As a result from the Black Death, the population of people decreased greatly.

enlightenment

A European intellectual movement of the late 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason and individualism rather than tradition.

reformation

A movement that began in Europe in the sixteenth century when the scholar-monk Martin Luther publicly challenged 95 of the Catholic Church's teachings.

Slave trade

This began in Europe towards the end of the Black Death plague. African people were brought to Europe as slaves, to boost the greatly reduced workforce, which had been depleted during the Black Death.

Mortality rate

A measure of the number of deaths in a particular population or country.

shogun

Chief military commanders and leaders who controlled Japan between the twelfth and nineteenth centuries. They dictated how the country would be ruled.

emperor

Someone who ruled an empire

constitution

The political principles on which a country or society is based and that guide its government; also, a written document that outlines its principles.

kimonos

Long, loose Japanese robes with wide sleeves worn as an outer garment.

samurai

A Japanese medieval warrior. The name means, 'one who serves'.

shogunate

The government controlled by the shogun.

daimyo

A feudal lord of Japan who was a large landowner, and who offered his loyalty and service to the shogun.

seppuku

A form of ritual suicide when a Japanese samurai felt dishonoured

outcasts

people at the bottom of the social ladder and were often exconvicts.

geishas

Japanese women trained to entertain men with conversation, dancing, and singing.

bushido

The code of behavior of the Japanese samurai warrior that required honor, loyalty, and martial arts skills.

sakoku

prohibited any Japanese person from leaving Japan, or any foreigner entering it.

haiku

Japanese poems consisting of 17 syllables divided into three parts.

jujutsu

A martial art that is used in close contact fights.

profit

The amount of money a business earns after taking away all the expenses that it has to pay.

strategy

A business action plan for achieving specific goals.

entrepreneur

A person who starts a business or independent organization, takes risks, and uses initiative to achieve success.

product

A good or service that is provided, for consumers to purchase.

Competitive advantage

When a business is able to outperform other like businesses. They can produce better or cheaper products.

Social responsibility

The duty to conduct business in a manner that benefits the community and the environment.

Product safety recall

When a business must notify consumers and organize for a faulty or dangerous product to be returned to the business.

wage

An amount of money that an employee is paid based on the work that they provide, and the hours worked.

superannuation

Money paid regularly into a fund that cannot be accessed until retirement.

Labour market

The supply and demand for labour; also known as the job market.

outsourced

To have obtained goods and services from outside suppliers to reduce costs.

competitors

Rival businesses that make products in the same market.

Developing country

A less economically developed country that has some difficulties in supporting the needs of its people.

marketing

Promoting the buying and selling of products - goods and services.

Ethical consumers

People who make an effort to purchase goods and services that do not have a negative impact on other people, animals, or the environment.

economy

A system that involves the production, distribution, trade, and consumption of goods and services by individuals, businesses, organizations, or governments.

Social enterprise

A socially conscious business that is committed to bringing about positive social, cultural, and environmental change through its profits.