The Rise and Fall of Medieval Powers in Europe

Franks

Germanic people settled in Roman Gaul.

Clovis

First Frankish king to convert to Christianity.

Carolingian Dynasty

Ruled the Franks from 751 to 987.

Pepin the Short

First king anointed by the Pope.

Charles Martel

Defeated Muslim invaders at the Battle of Tours.

Charlemagne

Frankish ruler known as Charles the Great.

Louis the Pious

Charlemagne's son, known for religious devotion.

Treaty of Verdun

Divided Charlemagne's empire into three parts.

Pope Gregory I

Extended church influence into secular politics.

Vikings

Scandinavian raiders from 793 to 1066 AD.

Valhalla

Viking heaven for warriors after death.

Jarls

Noble class and military chiefs in Viking society.

Karls

Freemen and landowners in Viking society.

Thralls

Slaves in Viking society.

Knarr

Viking merchant ship designed for trade.

Langskip

Viking warship with a shallow hull.

Fjords

Narrow bays characteristic of Scandinavian geography.

Rollo

Danish Viking who became first Duke of Normandy.

Donation of Pepin

Pepin's land grant to the Pope.

Eddas

Viking poems about gods and mythology.

Sagas

Viking stories about heroes and adventures.

Battle of Tours

Significant battle preserving Christian territory in Europe.

Carolingian Renaissance

Cultural revival during Charlemagne's reign.

Eric the Red

Famous Viking who discovered Greenland's first settlement.

Leif Ericson

First European to explore America, specifically Vinland.

Valhalla

Hall of slain heroes in Norse mythology.

Einherjar

Fallen warriors chosen by Valkyries for Valhalla.

Canon Law

Religious laws governing medieval Christian practices.

Excommunication

Punishment for violating Canon Law, barring church participation.

Interdict

Suspension of church services in a specific area.

Feudalism

Political system based on landholding and loyalty.

Vassal

Noble who receives land in exchange for loyalty.

Lord

Landowner providing protection and resources to vassals.

Knights

Mounted warriors serving lords in exchange for fiefs.

Oath of Fidelity

Vassal's pledge of loyalty to their lord.

Serfs

Bound workers tied to the lord's land.

Peasants

General term for agricultural laborers, not bound to land.

Feudal System

Hierarchy of landholding and service obligations.

Papal Curia

Advisors to the pope enforcing Church doctrine.

Military Assistance

Support provided by vassals to their lords.

Tax Collection

Lords' right to levy taxes on their vassals.

Justice in Courts

Lords' responsibility to settle disputes among vassals.

Tithe

Tax paid to the church, typically one-tenth of produce.

Vinland

Area in North America explored by Leif Ericson.

Chivalry

Code of conduct for knights in the Middle Ages.

Knighthood

Status achieved after rigorous training and ceremonies.

Page

Young boy training to become a knight at age 7.

Squire

Young knight's servant, training intensifies at age 14.

Armiger Stage

Transition from squire to knight, symbolizes manhood.

Tournaments

Mock battles for knights to gain wealth and fame.

Dubbing Ceremony

Ritual marking the transition to knighthood.

Manorialism

Economic system based on land and serf obligations.

Tithe

Church tax, 1/6 of peasant income paid to priest.

Lay Investiture

Ceremony for appointing church officials by nobles.

Showdown at Canossa

Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV's conflict over authority.

Castle Purpose

Defense and living quarters for nobility.

Motte-and-bailey Castle

Early fortification with a raised mound and courtyard.

Stone Keep Castle

Fortified central tower replacing wooden structures.

Concentric Castle

Multiple defensive walls for enhanced protection.

Ordeals

Supernatural tests to determine guilt or innocence.

Trial by Fire

Walking on hot rod to test healing.

Trial by Combat

Fight between two accused to resolve disputes.

Trial by Water

Submerging hands to determine guilt by floating.

Social Classes

Hierarchy including king, lord, vassals, knights, peasants.

Serfs

Peasants bound to the land, not slaves.

Falconry

Training birds for hunting and message delivery.

Noblewomen

Managed estates and defended castles when husbands absent.

Peasant Women

Worked fields, cared for children, and household tasks.

Religious Women

Nuns providing education and caring for the needy.

Sacraments

Seven important church rituals granting God's grace.

Simony

Buying church positions, banned by Pope Gregory VII.

Henry IV

Fought Pope Gregory VII over lay investiture rights.

Pope Gregory VII

Banned lay investiture and excommunicated Henry IV.

Concordat of Worms

Compromise allowing church to appoint bishops, emperor vetoes.

Benedictine Rule

Three vows: poverty, chastity, obedience for monks.

Interdict

Church punishment withholding sacraments from a region.

Excommunication

Official exclusion from church sacraments and services.

Battle of Legnano

Victory of Lombard League against Frederick I's forces.

Franciscans

First order of friars, founded by St. Francis.

Dominicans

Founded by Dominic de Guzman, focused on education.

Saint Benedict

Established monasteries, provided education and shelter.

Cluniac Reforms

Church reforms extending authority and discipline.

Lay Investiture

Kings appointing church officials, opposed by reformers.

Abbesses

Female leaders of convents, similar to bishops.

Ale Wives

Peasant women brewing beer for family and community.

Monastic Life

Life dedicated to prayer, work, and community service.

Church Reforms

Changes aimed at improving church authority and morality.

Vows

Promises made by religious individuals to live simply.

Missionaries

Monks converting non-Christians, including Vikings and tribes.

Cluny Monastery

Monastery in Eastern France, center of reform.

Cluniac Reforms

Movement to restore Christian vows and authority.

Benedictine Rule

Guidelines for monastic life emphasizing discipline.

Noble Interference

Nobles prohibited from influencing monastery operations.

Monastic Devotion

Monks and nuns dedicated to religious life.

Vows of Chastity

Commitment to abstain from sexual relations.

Vows of Poverty

Promise to live without personal wealth.

Vows of Obedience

Commitment to follow monastic leadership.

Clerical Corruption

Clergy living luxuriously, ignoring vows.

Pope Urban II

Pope who initiated the First Crusade.

Holy War

Crusade aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land.