Medieval History and Society Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, historical figures, and concepts from medieval Europe and the Crusades.

serfs

A peasant who is legally bound to live and work on land owned by a lord.

manor

The self-sufficient estate of a medieval lord.

manorialism

An economic system during the Middle Ages that revolved around self-sufficient farming estates where lords and peasants shared the land.

Anglo-Saxon

Refers to the Old English population, culture, and language during the Middle Ages.

Bayeux Tapestry

An elaborate work of art made out of wool cloth that measures 18m long.

Domesday Book

A book created to gather details and information about English landholdings.

Concordat of Worms

A document in which the pope had the right to choose bishops, but emperors could give the bishops gifts to make them loyal.

excommunicate

To exclude a person from a Church or religious community.

heretic

A Christian who does not follow the laws of the Church.

The Crusades

A series of conflicts that allowed European nobles and Muslim leaders to learn from each other.

William the Conqueror

The Duke of Normandy who invaded England in 1066, defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings, and became King of England.

King Harold

The King of England before William invaded, who fought William in the Battle of Hastings but was defeated and killed.

Pope Gregory VII

A powerful Pope who wanted the Church to have more control over appointing Church leaders and fought with Henry IV over choosing bishops.

Henry IV

The Holy Roman Emperor who disagreed with Pope Gregory VII, was excommunicated by the pope, and later apologized and asked for forgiveness.

Henry II

An English king who strengthened the royal government and legal system, and had a conflict with Thomas Becket over the power of the Church.

Thomas Becket

The Archbishop of Canterbury and former friend of Henry II who disagreed with Henry over church rights and was killed by knights loyal to the king.

Pope Urban II

The Pope who called for the First Crusade in 1095 and encouraged Christians to take back Jerusalem and other holy places.

Richard I

English King called Richard the Lionheart who fought in the Third Crusade and became known as a skilled warrior and leader.

Saladin

A Muslim leader who captured Jerusalem in 1187 and fought against Richard I during the Crusades.

feudalism

A system where peasants provide goods and services in exchange for protection.

fief

An estate granted by a lord to a vassal.

vassal

A lord who receives land from a higher lord.

knight

Trained warriors who swore their loyalty and service to the lord in exchange for shelter, food, and other necessities.

chivalry

A code of conduct in medieval Europe that required knights to be brave, loyal, and honest.