Middle Ages History Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards generated from the Middle Ages lecture notes covering key people, groups, terms, and historical dates.

King Clovis

King of the Franks who conquered Gaul and converted to Christianity.

Emperor Charlemagne

Ruler proclaimed Roman emperor by Pope Leo III in 800 who tried to revive Latin learning.

Alcuin

Scholar who established a school at Aachen.

Nobelwoman

Woman who did house chores and went to war, usually associated with a high ranking man.

Vikings

Raiders who plundered Europe, causing Europe to need local protection.

Islam

A religion begun in Arabia in 622.

Franks

Group of Germanic tribes that merged and became a powerful Christian Kingdom and beat Muslims in battle.

Muslims

Religious group who took over Spain, Palestine, and northern Africa.

Treaty of Verdun

Treaty signed in 843 after Charlemagne died that divided Charlemagne's empire among his grandsons.

Feudalism

A political system formed after invasions by Vikings, Muslims, and Magyars where a king gives servicepeople land in exchange for work/loyalty due to weak central governments and need for local protection.

Vassal

Someone who worked for an army in exchange for land and protection.

Fief

Land given by lord to a noble or knight in exchange for service.

Knight

An armored soldier of a person of status.

Chivalry

A knight's expectations/manners, which also raised women's status.

Troubadour

Poet-musician, sometimes for higher ups in France/Italy.

Manor

A lord's estate.

Serf

Laborer without wage in the Feudal system.

The Middle Ages

Years 500-1450 from the start of Rome to the start of the modern era.

Battle of Tours

Battle in 732 between Frankish and Muslims where Frankish victory limited Muslim expansion.

Europe's Resources

Coal, fish, iron, furs, timber & other metals.