Medieval Unit Study Guide 1 (Vikings & Feudalism & Roman Catholic Church)

Vikings

One of a seafaring Scandinavian people who raided the coasts of northern and western Europe from the eighth through the tenth century.

Medieval Warming Period

Climate got warmer between 900 and 1300 which allowed crops to grow and surpluses were made. This allowed the Vikings to thrive and see great population growth.

Iceland, Greenland, & Vinland

Viking Colonies

700 to 1150 C.E.

Viking Age

Monasteries

Favorite Viking targets in Britain & mainland Europe. $$$

Sagas

Tales or legends of Vikings that often included true stories of voyages across the seas. (Erik the Red & Lief Erickson)

Farmers & Herders

Most Vikings

Longboat

A boat with a shallow bow and a trademark dragon or scary face on the tip of the ship that was used by the Vikings.

Ulfberht Swords

Pure awesomeness. A lightsaber before lightsabers.

Did the Vikings truly disappear?

No. They just assimilated into greater European culture. Christian culture.

Does Mr. Greenwood want you to do well on your test?

Yes. Disappear into the sunset with an A+.

Traditional historians view on Medieval Europe…

Sparsely populated landscape with clusters of villages protected by a local "lord".

Feudalism

A political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to their king, in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live on the land.

Vassal

A person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom he or she owes allegiance; a subordinate or dependent; a servant.

Fief

land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service.

homage

Special honor or respect shown publicly.

Knights give…

military service in exchange for land.

Peasants give…

taxes or a portion of their harvest in exchange for the right to farm the land.

peasant

A member of a class of persons who are small farmers or farm laborers of low social rank during the Medieval era.

Lords give…

Land to knights in exchange for their military service.

Kings in the Medieval Era were…

(very weak or very strong)

very weak

The Catholic Church in the Medieval Era were… (very weak or very strong)

very strong

Local Power during the Medieval Era is… (strong or not strong)

strong

Roman Catholic Church

The Christian organization that unified Western and Central Europe and had a great deal of power over even the strongest kings/queens of Europe.

7 sacraments

Seven services the Roman Catholic Church offered that ensured people could attain heaven and be good Christians.

Excommunication

Banishment from the church. (Effectively damning the souls of those no longer allowed the 7 sacraments)