Medieval Europe Test

Middle Ages/Medieval Era

Began around 500 after the fall of the Roman Empire and ended around 1400. Hallmarks of the era included deeply religious people, a mostly rural population and life, a static social and political hierarchy

Roman Catholic Church

the most powerful organization in Europe during the Medieval Era

Clergy

Church officials

Secular

Non-religious

Hierarchy

a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.

Pope

The head of the Church hierarchy. Also claimed authority over all secular leaders

Papal supremacy

the claim of medieval popes that they had authority over all secular rulers

Sacraments

Sacred rituals of the Roman Catholic Church

Canon Law

The body of laws governing the religious practices of a Christian church

Excommunication

Banishment from the church

Interdict

In the Roman Catholic Church, excommunication of an entire region, town, or kingdom because of a King or Noble Lord

Tithe

Church tax; 1/10 of income

Cathedral

A large and important church

Monarchy

A government ruled by a king or queen

Rigid Class Structure

a hierarchy of social classes with limited or no social mobility

Feudalism

A system where social, political, and economic relationships are organized around the holding of land in exchange for service or work

Feudal Pyramid of Power

King, Nobles, Knights, Peasants

Fief

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

Vassal

A person who received land and protection from a lord in return for loyalty

Manorialism

an economic system structured around the feudal manor, or the lord's estate

Serf

A person who is bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord

Villein

type of peasant, legally free but subject to the authority of the lord

Artisans

a worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand.

Bailiff

ranking official on a manor when the lord of the manor is away

Steward

handles and settles official matters for the lord in meetings of the manor court

Reeve

worker supervisor who knew farming customs and tools needed to work the fields

Guild

Groups of craftspeople or artisans who joined together to protect the interests of their craft.

Feudal contract

exchange of pledges between lords and vassals