World History Section 9

Middle Ages

A major epoch in European history.

Medieval

The middle period of European history.

Topography

The study and detailed description of the shape, configuration, and physical features of the land surface.

Clergy

The collective group of officially ordained, consecrated, or recognized leaders and ministers within a religious tradition.

Pagans

Anyone who was not Christian, Jewish, or Muslim.

Sacraments

Items thought to be holy by the Catholic Church.

Monastery

Building s for monks and nuns.

Christendom

Europe as a unified Christian society.

Saint

A holy person.

Missionaries

People who taught their religion to other countries.

Convents

Buildings for Nuns to live in.

Vassal

Pledged loyalty and service to a lord for land and protection.

Fief

Grant of land given by a lord to a vassal for military protection.

Knight

A mounted and armed soldier.

Chivalry

A Code of Conduct.

Manor

Large building or estate.

Serf

Peasant or slave.

Crop Rotation

Divided fields into three sections with different foods.

Fallow

A piece of land that is plowed but unused.

Three-filed System

Only using two out if three fields at a time.

Guild

Group of people who work the same job but in different places.

Mendicant Order

Friars who took vows of poverty.

Universities

Schools almost like guilds.

Natural Law

Participation of human reason in the divine law of God.