MiddleAges

Middle Ages

The period from 500 to 1500 AD, beginning with the decline of the Roman Empire.

Germanic Tribes

Tribes that invaded Western Europe and contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire.

Charlemagne

A king who reunited the Germanic kingdoms and spread Christian civilization across Northern and Western Europe.

Wergild

A Germanic legal principle meaning 'man money,' representing the compensation paid by a wrongdoer to the family of a victim.

Monasticism

The practice of living as a monk, often characterized by a vow of poverty and separation from society.

Abbess

The female superior of a convent.

Illuminated Manuscripts

Handwritten books decorated with gold or silver, preserving the cultural heritage of Rome.

Clovis

The first Germanic ruler to convert to Christianity; he united the Frankish kingdoms and was baptized with 3,000 warriors.

Roman Catholic Church

The most significant institution during medieval Europe, providing order and security.

Pope Gregory I

Pope who increased the power of the papacy and used church resources for secular purposes, including raising armies and negotiating treaties.

Scriptorium

Rooms in monasteries where monks copied and preserved ancient texts.

Venerable Bede

An English monk known for writing a history of England and considered one of the best works of the Middle Ages.

Dialect

A particular form of a language specific to a region; emerged from the mixing of Germanic and Latin speakers.

The Dark Ages

Another term for the early Middle Ages, marked by a decline in learning and cultural activity.

Merovingian Dynasty

The ruling family of the Franks, founded by Clovis, which lasted for about 200 years.

Abbot

The male leader of a monastery.

Monastery

A religious community where monks live, work, and pray, dedicated to spiritual practice.

Monks

Male members of a monastic community who dedicate their lives to religious service, often living in seclusion.

Monasticism

A religious way of life characterized by the renunciation of worldly pursuits to fully devote one's self to spiritual work.

Saint Benedict

A Christian saint who founded the Benedictine monastic order and is known for his Rule that guided monastic life.

Scholastica

The twin sister of Saint Benedict, who founded a monastic community for women following the Benedictine Rule.

Benedict Rule

A set of guidelines for monastic life emphasizing prayer, work, and community living, established by Saint Benedict.

Abbot

The head of a monastery, responsible for its spiritual and administrative leadership.

Nuns

Female members of a religious community who live a life of prayer and service within a convent.

Convents

Religious communities where nuns live and engage in spiritual and charitable activities.

Abbess

The female superior of a convent, overseeing the community and its members.

Hilda of Whitby

An influential abbess in England who founded the Abbey of Whitby and played a key role in the Christianization of England.

Scriptorium

A room in a monastery where monks hand-copied texts, preserving knowledge through writing.

Illuminated Manuscripts

Decorated handwritten books featuring gold and silver illustrations, significant in preserving medieval culture.

First Pope

Peter

What year did Charlemagne become King

768

Louis the Pious

The son of Charlemagne and king of the Franks from 814 to 840; he is known for his attempts to maintain and expand his father's empire while dealing with internal conflicts and the division of the empire among his sons.

Treaty of Verdun

The 843 agreement that divided the Carolingian Empire into three parts among the grandsons of Charlemagne, marking the beginning of the fragmentation of the empire.

Charles the Bald has what land

France

Lothair had what land

North Sea into Italy

Louis the German had what land

GERMANY

Feudalism

A social and economic system in medieval Europe where land was held by lords in exchange for military service, and vassals worked the land in return for protection and a share of the produce.

Viking means

One who rows

Why could the Vikings invade so quickly

Lightweight longships

Why were the vikings feared in Europle

Nick names