History EOY definitions/key terms

Coronation ceremony

A coronation ceremony is a formal event where a monarch is crowned and recognized as ruler.

The Harrying of the North

The Harrying of the North was a brutal campaign by William the Conqueror in 1069-1070 to suppress the rebellion in the North. It involved widespread destruction and killing of thousands of people, causing the region to suffer for years.

Anglo-Saxons

Anglo-Saxons lived in England from the 5th century to 1066. They had their own kingdoms, language (Old English), and were skilled in metalworking and literature. They impacted English history and culture with epic poetry like Beowulf.

Motte

A big mound of earth with a building on top, usually made of wood or stone which was usually a castle or keep.

Bailey

An enclosed courtyard or open space within a castle or fortification, serving as a central hub for buildings, storage, and defensive activities.

Wooden palisade

A defensive barrier made of vertically positioned wooden stakes or logs, used to protect settlements and military encampments.

Ditch

A long and narrow trench or channel dug in the ground, often surrounding fortifications or settlements, serving as a defensive barrier or obstacle.

The feudal system

When those of higher status award land in exchange for loyalty to those of lower status.

Barons

Noble landowners who held a high rank in the feudal system and served as vassals to kings or higher-ranking lords. There were about 200 of them.

Knights

Skilled and heavily armed warriors who served as mounted soldiers, upholding the code of chivalry and providing military service to lords or monarchs. There were 4000 of them.

Peasants

Common people who worked the land for nobles and knights in exchange for protection and a portion of the crops and land. There were about 1.5 million of them.

Plough team

A plough team was made up of 8 oxen and 2 men to plough fields.

Forest laws

Not allow to capture any animals in royal forests and there were severe punishments for poaching.

A Murdrum fine

A fine imposed on an area were a Norman was killed and the murderer had not been found.

Inference

Drawing conclusions or making educated guesses based on available historical evidence and reasoning.

Gatehouse

A fortified entrance structure, often with a gate and defensive features, serving as the main entry point to a castle or fortification.

Arrow slits

Narrow vertical openings or loopholes in castle walls or fortifications, designed to allow archers to shoot arrows at attackers while providing protection and cover.

Round towers

Tall cylindrical structures, typically made of stone, found in medieval castles and fortifications, serving as defensive towers and lookout points.

Killing ground

An area on a battlefield or in a defensive position that is strategically advantageous for inflicting heavy casualties on enemy forces.

Stone keep

The main fortified tower or stronghold within a castle, built with stone, serving as a residence for the lord and a strong defensive structure.

Curtain wall

The fortified outer wall enclosing and protecting the entire perimeter of a castle or fortification.

Lord’s solar

A private chamber or room within a castle, specifically designated for the lord or noble to use as a private living space or personal quarters.

Judges’ or monarch’s sheriffs

Officials appointed by judges or monarchs to enforce law and order, maintain security, and collect taxes within a specific jurisdiction or region.

Four humours

A theory in ancient and medieval medicine that suggests the human body is governed by four bodily fluids or humours - blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile - which were believed to influence a person's physical and mental health.

Physician

A trained medical practitioner or healer who diagnoses, treats, and provides medical care to individuals.

Buboes

Swollen and painful lymph nodes, typically occurring in the groin, armpit, or neck, as a prominent symptom of certain infectious diseases, such as bubonic plague.

The Pneumonic plague

A highly contagious and deadly form of the plague that primarily affects the lungs, causing severe respiratory symptoms and a high mortality rate.

Lancing

Making a small cut in the skin to release fluid or relieve pressure from an infection or abscess.

Poultice

A moist mass of natural materials applied to the body for healing or soothing purposes.

Manorial records

Written documents containing information about the management and affairs of a manor, including land ownership, rents, and legal matters.

DNA analysis

Studying genetic material from the past to learn about people's genetic traits and ancestry.

Last rites

Religious rituals performed for the dying or deceased, offering spiritual support and preparing for the afterlife.

Rent

Payment made by a tenant to a landlord for using land or property.

Apothecary

A person who made and sold medicines in the past.

Barber-surgeon

A person who performed both barbering and basic surgical procedures in the past.

Bloodletting

Removing blood from the body as a medical treatment based on the belief that it would restore balance or remove illness-causing substances.

Leech

A worm-like creature used in the past to suck blood from people for medical purposes.

Purging

Forcing vomiting or emptying the bowels as a medical treatment to cleanse the body.

Trepanning

A surgical procedure that involves drilling a hole in the skull for various reasons, including medical treatment or spiritual beliefs.