Unit 4: Medieval Europe

Middle Ages/Medieval/Dark Ages

A period in European history from about 500 to 1500 CE, marked by feudalism, the rise of the Church, and limited learning.

Anarchy

A time with no government or law, often leading to disorder and chaos.

Rural

Related to the countryside, where farming is common and population is low.

Urbanization

The growth of cities as people move from rural areas to live and work there.

Franks

A powerful Germanic tribe that ruled much of Western Europe during the early Middle Ages.

Clovis

The first king of the Franks to unite the tribes and convert to Christianity.

Charles Martel

Frankish leader who stopped the Muslim advance into Europe at the Battle of Tours.

Battle of Tours

A key battle in 732 CE where Charles Martel stopped Muslim forces from advancing into Europe.

Carolingian Dynasty

The family line that ruled the Franks, starting with Pepin and including Charlemagne.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks who expanded the empire and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor.

Holy Roman Emperor

A title given to Charlemagne, symbolizing a Christian ruler of much of Europe.

Treaty of Verdun

The agreement that divided Charlemagne's empire into three parts.

Vikings

Seafaring people from Scandinavia who raided and settled parts of Europe.

Scandinavia

A region in northern Europe including modern-day Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

Longship

A fast, narrow boat used by Vikings for travel and raids.

Rune stones

Stones carved with letters and symbols used by Vikings to record history.

Eric the Red

A Viking who founded a colony in Greenland.

Normans

Descendants of Vikings who settled in northern France.

Feudalism

A system where land was exchanged for service and loyalty during the Middle Ages.

Manor

The land owned by a lord, including villages, farmland, and homes.

Fief

A piece of land given by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service.

Lord

A noble who owned land and had power over people who lived on it.

Knight

A trained warrior who served a lord and followed a code of chivalry.

Peasant

A poor farmer who worked the land for a lord.

Serf

A farmer who was tied to the land and couldn't leave without permission.

Chivalry

A code of behavior for knights that emphasized bravery, honor, and respect.

Three-field system

A farming method that rotated crops to improve soil and food production.

Fallow

A field left unplanted to help the soil recover.

Agriculture

Farming, including growing crops and raising animals for food.

Nobility

The social class made up of nobles like lords and ladies.

Vassal

A person who received land from a lord in exchange for loyalty and service.

Oath of Fealty

A formal promise of loyalty from a vassal to a lord.

Parish

A local church community led by a priest.

Bishop

A Church leader in charge of many parishes in a region.

Diocese

A district or area controlled by a bishop.

Archbishop

A senior bishop in charge of several dioceses.

Archdiocese

The large district or area overseen by an archbishop.

Cardinal

A high-ranking Church official who helps choose the Pope.

Pope

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Heresy

Beliefs that go against the teachings of the Church.

Clergy

People who lead religious services, like priests and bishops.

Excommunication

Being officially removed from the Church and its services.

Crusades

Religious wars to take back the Holy Land from Muslim rule.

Holy Land

The area around Jerusalem, sacred to Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

Pope Urban II

The Pope who called for the First Crusade in 1096.

Seljuk Turks

Muslim group that controlled the Holy Land during the Crusades.

Alexios Comnenos

Byzantine emperor who asked the Pope for help against the Turks.

First Crusade

The first Christian military campaign to capture Jerusalem, which was successful.

Second Crusade

A failed attempt by Christians to retake land after the fall of Edessa.

Third Crusade

Called the King's Crusade; led by Richard the Lionheart but failed to recapture Jerusalem.

Children's Crusade

A tragic crusade led by children in 1212; most died or were enslaved.

Saladin

Muslim leader who recaptured Jerusalem and made peace with Richard the Lionheart.

Richard the Lionheart

English king who led the Third Crusade against Saladin.

Holy war

A war fought for religious reasons.

Kingdom of Jerusalem

A Christian-controlled area created after the First Crusade.

Guild

An organization of workers in the same trade who set rules and standards.

Merchant

A person who buys and sells goods.

Artisan

A skilled worker who makes things by hand.

Vernacular

The everyday language spoken by people in a region.

Scholasticism

A way of thinking that used reason and faith to understand the world.

Thomas Aquinas

A scholar who promoted scholasticism and used reason to support religious beliefs.

Blacksmith

A person who makes tools and weapons from iron.

Understudy

A person learning a trade under a skilled worker.

Canterbury Tales

A famous book written in English by Geoffrey Chaucer.

Geoffrey Chaucer

An English author known for writing the Canterbury Tales.