Medieval Europe

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions relevant to the history of medieval Europe, focusing on social structures, major events, and cultural developments.

Feudalism

A social system in medieval Europe where land was held in exchange for service, often military in nature.

Manorialism

An economic system pertaining to the medieval European manor, where peasants worked the land for a lord.

Christianity

A major religion that became the official religion of the Roman Empire and significantly influenced medieval European society.

The Black Death

A pandemic that swept through Europe in the 14th century, resulting in the death of about one third of the population.

Gothic Architecture

A style of architecture that emerged in the 12th century characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses.

Crusades

A series of religious wars from the 11th to 13th centuries aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem and other holy lands from Muslim rule.

Charter

A legal document granting rights and privileges to a town or organization.

Guild

An association of artisans or merchants who control the practice of their craft in a particular town.

Illuminated Manuscripts

Handwritten books with decorative images and designs, often containing religious texts, created in the Middle Ages.

Manor

A large estate owned by a lord, typically including the lord's house, peasant villages, farmland, and other resources.

Chivalry

The medieval knightly system that emphasized ethics, bravery, and courtesy, often idealized in literature.

Trial by Ordeal

A method of justice used in medieval Europe where the accused's guilt or innocence was determined by undergoing a painful test.

The Hundred Years' War

A series of conflicts fought between England and France from 1337 to 1453, marking the rise of national identities.

Peasants' Revolt

A widespread uprising in England in 1381 against oppressive taxation and social injustice.

The Magna Carta

A charter agreed to by King John of England in 1215, which limited the power of the crown and laid the foundation for modern democracy.

Bubonic Plague

The most common form of plague, which was a major cause of the Black Death in the 14th century.

Renaissance

A cultural movement that began in Italy in the 14th century, characterized by a revival of interest in classical art and learning.

Scientific Revolution

A period of great advances in science during the 16th and 17th centuries that challenged traditional views of science and the natural world.

Crusader States

Territories in the Levant established by the Crusaders after the First Crusade.

Astrolabe

An ancient instrument used to make astronomical measurements, significant in medieval navigation and timekeeping.

1096

Year when the First Crusade began.