The Early Middle Ages

Eurasia

Definition:  n.a large landmass that includes both Europe and Asia

Middle Ages

Definition:n.a period that lasted from about 500 to 1500 in Europe

medieval

Definition:adj. referring to the Middle Ages

Patrick

Definition: Christian saint; he converted the people of Ireland to Christianity.

monks

Definition: n.a religious man who lived apart from society in an isolated community

monasteries

n.a community of monks

Benedict

Italian saint and monk; he created a set of rules for monks to follow.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks; he was a brilliant warrior and strong leader. He was crowned emperor of the Romans in 800.

knights

n.a warrior in medieval Europe who fought on horseback

vassal

n.a knight who promised to support a lord in exchange for land in medieval Europe

feudalism:

:n.the system of obligations that governed the relationships between lords and vassals in medieval Europe

William the Conqueror

Powerful French noble who conquered England; he brought feudalism to Britain.

manor

 n.a large estate owned by a knight or lord

serfs

n.a worker in medieval Europe who was tied to the land on which he or she lived

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Queen of France and England; she was one of the most powerful women in Europe in the Middle Ages.