Freshmen World History: The Formation of Western Europe Study Guide

A set of vocabulary flashcards from the World History chapter on the formation of Western Europe.

Middle Ages

A period in European history from the 5th to the late 15th century, often referred to as the Dark Ages.

Feudalism

A social system in medieval Europe where land was owned by lords who granted it to vassals in exchange for military service.

Vassal

A person granted land by a feudal lord in exchange for loyalty and service.

Fief

An estate of land, especially one held on condition of feudal service.

Chivalry

The medieval knightly system that includes a code of conduct emphasizing bravery, honor, and respect towards women.

Concordat of Worms

A 1122 agreement that resolved the Investiture Controversy between the Papacy and the Holy Roman Emperor.

Magna Carta

A charter of rights agreed to by King John of England in 1215, limiting the powers of the king.

The Crusades

A series of religious wars sanctioned by the Latin Church in the medieval period, aimed mainly at restoring Christian control over the Holy Land.

Domesday Book

A record of the Great Survey of much of England and Wales completed in 1086 for William the Conqueror.

The Black Death

A devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe in the 14th century, leading to significant population decline.

The Battle of Hastings

A battle fought on October 14, 1066, resulting in Norman conquest of England.

Simony

The act of buying or selling ecclesiastical privileges, for example, pardons or benefices.

Lay Investiture

The appointment of bishops and abbots by secular authorities.

Joan of Arc

A peasant girl who became a national heroine of France for her role in the Hundred Years' War.

Pope Urban II

The pope who initiated the First Crusade in 1095.

The Treaty of Verdun

The 843 treaty that divided the Carolingian Empire into three kingdoms.

Common Law

Law that is derived from judicial decisions instead of from statutes.

Parliament

The highest legislature in the UK, consisting of the Sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons.

The Norman Conquest

The 11th-century invasion and occupation of England by the Normans led by William the Conqueror.

Charles Martel

A Frankish statesman and military leader who is best known for his victory at the Battle of Tours.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks who united much of Europe during the early Middle Ages and laid the foundations for modern France and Germany.

Edward the Confessor

King of England who reigned from 1042 to 1066 and was known for his piousness.

The Franks

A Germanic people who settled in what is now France and were instrumental in the development of medieval Europe.

Pope Gregory VII

A pope known for his role in the Investiture Controversy and his conflict with King Henry IV.

Domestic System

An early form of industrial production in which merchants employed workers in their homes.

Guilds

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

Tours

The location of the Battle of Tours, where Charles Martel halted the Islamic advance into Western Europe.