World History Middle Ages

Feudalism

A medieval system of government and society where land was exchanged for loyalty and military service. Lords owned land and granted portions to vassals, who, in turn, provided military service.

Vassal

A person who received a fief (land or property) from a lord in exchange for military service or other obligations under feudalism.

Fief

A piece of land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for military service or other forms of loyalty and support.

Manor

A large estate owned by a lord, which included the lord’s house, farmland, and villages. The manor was the basic unit of feudal economy.

Serfs

Peasants who were tied to the land they worked on and were required to provide labor or goods to the lord of the manor in exchange for protection.

Chivalry

A medieval code of conduct for knights, emphasizing qualities like bravery, honor, loyalty, and courtesy, especially toward women and the weak.

Lay investiture

The practice of kings appointing church officials (such as bishops), which led to a conflict between the Church and monarchs.

Concordat of Worms (1122)

An agreement that ended the Investiture Controversy between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor. It allowed the Church to appoint bishops, but kings had the right to veto

Tithe

A tax/donation to the church that supported the clergy and church activities

The Battle of Tours (732)

A key military victory for the Franks under Charles Martel against the Muslim Forces, stopping their expansion into Western Europe.

Treaty of Verdun (843)

An agreement that divided the Carolingian Empire between the sons of Charlemagne, leading to the formation of separate kingdoms in modern France and Germany.

Simony

The act of buying or selling church offices or sacred privileges which was considered a corrupt practice within the medieval Church.

The Norman Conquest (1066)

The invasion of England by William the Conqueror who defeated King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings.

The Battle of Hastings (1066)

The battle where William the Conqueror defeated King Harold II and became the King of England.

Magna Carta (1215)

A document signed by King John of England that limited the power of the king, establishing the idea of constitutional law.

Common Law

A legal system based on judicial decisions, rather than written laws. This influenced jury and judicial legal systems around the world.

Parliament

Legislative body that made laws and collected taxes. It played a key role in limiting/checking royal power.

The Crusades (1096-1291)

A series of religious wars to reclaim Jerusalem(The Holy Land) from Muslim control/

Domesday Book

A survey of land ownership in England, created by William the Conqueror, used for assessing taxes and making his rule stronger.

Jerusalem/The Holy Land

A very significant region for Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Both Christians and Muslims were fighting over it.

The Franks

Germanic barbarians who invaded Rome and established powerful kingdoms

Clovis

First “Christian King” of the Franks

Charles Martel

Known for his victory against Muslim armies at the Battle of Tours that prevented Islam spreading into Europe

William the Conqueror

Norman conquest of England in 1066, Battle of Hastings, brought Feudalism to England, created steps towards centralized government, Domesday Book

Pepin the Short

The first king of the Carolingian dynasty and father of Charlemagne

Charlemagne

“Holy Roman Emperor,” united vast territory across Western Europe, promoted cultural revival

Pope Gregory VII

Had a lot of papal authority, argued with Henry IV over who should appoint bishops (lay investiture)

King Henry IV

King who had lay investiture controversy with Pope Gregory VII

King John

Unfair rule, was forced to sign the Magna Carta

Pope Urban II

Launched the first Crusade to free Jerusalem from Muslim rule