Dark ages/byzantines vocab

Byzantine empire

The eastern part of the Roman Empire that survived after the fall of the western part.

Justinian

Byzantine emperor known for his comprehensive codification of Roman law.

Hagia Sophia

A former Greek Orthodox Christian basilica, later an imperial mosque and now a museum in Istanbul.

Justinian's code

A collection of laws and legal interpretations developed under the sponsorship of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.

Franks

A Germanic people who settled in the Roman province of Gaul.

Decentralization

The distribution of authority from a central to local governments.

Clovis

The first king of the Franks to unite all of the Frankish tribes under one ruler.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks who united much of Western Europe during the early Middle Ages. Was given title of "Holy Roman Emperor" by the pope.

"Holy Roman Emperor"

Title given to the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, which was a multi-ethnic complex of territories in central Europe.

Lay investiture

The appointment of bishops and other church officials by secular subjects.

secular

The church gained this type of power during the middle ages.

Definition: not subject to or bound by religious rule; not belonging to or living in a monastic (monks) or other order.

Fiefs

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

Lords

Noblemen who owned land and had vassals under them.

Vassals

Individuals who received land from a lord in exchange for loyalty and service.

Serfs

Peasants who were bound to the land and under the control of a lord.

Knights

Mounted warriors who served a lord in exchange for shelter and food.

Crusades

Military campaigns sanctioned by the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages.

Saladin

The first sultan of Egypt and Syria and the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. Made a truce with Richard the Lionhearted to allow unarmed Christians access to the Holy land.

Richard the Lionhearted

King of England known for his leadership during the Third Crusade. Made a truce with Saladin to allow unarmed Christians access to the Holy land.

William the conqueror

The first Norman King of England, reigning from 1066 until his death. Began process of centralization

Frederick I (Barbarossa)

Holy Roman Emperor known for his efforts to establish German dominance in Italy. Died on crusade.

John

King of England who signed the Magna Carta.

Magna Carta

A charter of rights agreed to by King John of England in 1215.

Great Schism

The division of the Christian church, where there were 2 popes, each claiming the other was not legitimate.

Guilds

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

Estates General

A legislative assembly in France representing the three estates of the realm.

Burghers

The middle class in medieval towns, typically merchants and craftsmen.

Monasteries

Religious communities where monks live and work.

Friars

Members of certain religious orders who lived among the people and preached.

Chivalric warfare

A code of conduct associated with the medieval institution of knighthood.

Longbow

A powerful type of bow used by English archers during the Hundred Years' War. Began the end of chivalric warfare and a transition away from feudalism.

Hundred years war

A series of conflicts fought between England and France from 1337 to 1453 won by the french.

Joan of arc

A peasant girl who became a national heroine of France for her role in the Hundred Years' War after hearing voices from the divine. Was burned at the stake for these voices after the war.

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the interests of a particular nation.

Black plague

A devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe in the 14th century.

Nostradamus

A French astrologer and physician known for his prophecies. Had many ideas that were revolutionary for the time of the plague, but frowned upon by other physicians.

Showdown at canossa

The event in 1077 where Henry IV stood in the snow to seek forgiveness from Pope Gregory VII.

Concordat of worms

An agreement reached in 1122 that ended the investiture controversy. Allowed the church to appoint religious officials, but gave monarchs the power to veto.

Lombard league

A medieval alliance of northern Italian cities against the Holy Roman Empire.

Battle of legnano

A battle in 1176 where the Lombard League defeated the forces of the Holy Roman Emperor.

Parliament

A legislative body in the United Kingdom.

feudalism

a social and political system prevalent in medieval Europe where land ownership was the basis of power, mainly based on reciprocal relationships.