Studied by 143 PeopleTags & Description
English Common Law
A legal system based on custom and court rulings, applied to all of England. It began as a system of laws not codified (written) in the Middle Ages, formalized after the Norman invasion, and has a legacy today in the United States legal system
Magna Carta
(1215) A document that contains ideas that nobles had certain rights and monarchs had to obey the law, they would shape English government in the future in regards to limitations on monarchy, and the idea of Divine Right "Not the birth certificate of democracy, but the death certificate of despotism"
Parliament
A council first established in the 1200s, that consists of the king, bishops, and baron/lords, that assisted the king's decisions in making new laws, government systems, and taxes.
Estates General
A representative body made up of 3 estates (houses) representing the different classes in the French hierarchy (church, nobility, common). This representative body never won the "power of the purse" like English parliament, so it never served as a check to royal power.
Holy Roman Empire
(800-1806), Emperors ruling didn't really gain a huge amount of power. They saw themselves as heirs of Ancient Rome. Further, the Emperors tried to interfere with church matters and were in conflict with the popes. Charmin's death led to disintegration, which created separate states.
Reconquista
710-1492 Period in Spanish/Portuguese history that describes the Christian leaders efforts to "reconquer" Spain from the Moorish (Muslim) invasion. Ferdinand and Isabella complete the reconquista by defeating Moorish forces at Granada in 1492.
Ferdinand and Isabella
1469, Unified Spain with their marriage. sought religious unity within Spain. Was accomplished, but many skilled workers who were non-christian fled or were killed, undermining Spain's economy.
Inquisition
1480-1495, used as a police force to keep Catholics in line and to persecute converted and unconverted Muslims and Jews. In the 15 years of activity, over 2,000 people were burned at the stake and over 150,000 fled Spain.
Scholasticism
The idea of using reason to support Christian beliefs
Thomas Aquinas
1225-1274, Wrote summa theologica this concluded that faith and reason can exist in harmony. He brought Christians and logic together.
Vernacular language
The language of the everyday people, as opposed to that of the clergy (e.g., Latin). Ex. English, French, Dutch, German.
Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy
(c. 1300) An epic poem that takes the reader through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. It summarizes Christian ethics and demonstrates Christian punishment systems.
Geoffery Chaucer Canterbury Tales
1340-1400, English writer whose novel tells a story of a group of pilgrims, each telling a story to add to the picture of medieval life.
Romanesque
1000s, buildings that reflect Roman influence, including thick walls, no or small windows making them feel dark and gloomy.
Gothic
Architectural/ Artistic Style. 1140 Abbot Suger wanted a bright church contrary to the Romanesque Style. Builders come up with flying buttresses, external support allowing for thinner and taller walls and large stained glass windows. Glass windows showed religious themes.
illuminated manuscripts
1300-1400/ Decorations/paintings in books made and used by monks, nuns and artisans. The book of hours included biblical scenes and daily life to help inspire devotion for the illiterate.
Black Death
in 1347 an epidemic of the Bubonic Plague reduced the population of Europe by 1/3. While it may have ruined many family trades, in the long run it improved Europe's economy.
Flagellants
Religious fanatics that beat themselves in hope that God would recognize their self-punishment and save them from The Plague
The Great Schism
After Pope Gregory XI's death, Urban VI became pope in Rome. Officials said he was invalid. French cardinals elected Pope Clement VII in 1378, who moved to Avignon. Urban stayed in Rome. Bishops meet in 1409, and elected one pope to replace Urban and Clement, who both refused to step down, resulting in three popes. In 1417, Pope Martin V was elected to replace them. The motion succeeded, and Martin moved the papacy back to Rome.
John Wyclif
Mid 1300s: An Oxford professor who attacked corruption in the church. He translated the Bible to English. After his death, he was condemned as a heretic and his bones were burned and his works were banned. His ideas lived past his death, and inspired other reformers.
Jan Hus
(c. 1369-1415) University teacher in Prague. Agreed with Wyclif's ideas on corruption in the church, and preached that an Italian pope should not influence affairs in Bohemia. At the Council of Constance, he was convicted of heresy despite being told he would not be tried. Burned at the stake. His followers continued to fight the church.
The Hundred Years' War
(1337-1453) King Edward III of England claimed the French crown, which resulted in war between England and France over wanting Norman lands, and control of the trade in the English Channel. Driven by national pride the war continued. England won early thanks to longbow. France answered with cannon. Struggle for national identity.
Joan of Arc
1429, she met the uncrowned King of France, Charles VII, and claimed she had divine instruction to rescue France. She led the country to several victories over England, before her capture and execution. Later canonized. Her death motivated France and resulted in the French victory during the 100YW.
Babylonian Captivity
Period in which the Papacy was centered in Avignon, not Rome. (1309-1378) Seven Popes resided here and were heavily influenced by the French crown.
War of the Roses
An English civil war during the 15th century. The two sides were The House of Lancaster and The House of York. The nobility and landed gentry struggled for control of the English throne. After nearly 30 years, a Lancaster took the throne.
Pope Clement VII
(r. 1523-34) Pope during the Sack of Rome. Also refused to recognized Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon, which led to the English Reformation.
Nationalism
Loyalty and devotion to a nation, especially in the sense of exalting one above all others and placing primary emphasis on the promotion of its culture and interests
Pope Urban VI
1378-1389, last pope elected who was not a cardinal. His election followed the "Babylonian Captivity" of Avignon Popes, ultimately led to the Great Schism of the Church where multiple 'Popes' claimed to rule the Church. Began the fracture and mistrust which ultimately contributed to the Reformation.
The Conciliar Movement
The idea based on the premise that the state was the great unifier of society and that the church should be subordinate to the state. Further, church leadership should rest in a general council of laymen and priests superior to the pope. Reform of the church could best be achieved through periodic assemblies representing all Christians.
Lollards
Initial followers of John Wycliffe in the late 14th century, they demanded change within the church and a return to the vows of poverty demanded by Christ, even questioning the authority of the Pope. They distributed Bibles and incorporated women in the movement. The ideas heavily influenced Jan Hus and later, Martin Luther.
merchet
A Middle Age 'fine' paid in England to a lord upon the marriage of a peasant woman under his domain, based on the idea that he was losing a valuable worker. The fine was usually paid by the bride's father.
banns
a public announcement by a parish priest that a couple planned to marry; the purpose was to reveal any obstacle to the union, such as a previous marriage by one of the parties
Jacquerie
A French peasant uprising in 1358, largely as a result of the Hundred Years War. Peasants were forced to pay the taille (land tax) to pay for the war, serve the Corvee (forced labor where they had to repair the homes and lands of nobles), and defend the chateau (manor houses). They were forced to do this in service of a nobility that fled the field at Poiters and failed to suppress banditry in the countryside. The resulting violence and suppression of the peasants was extremely violent.
Francois Villon
Best known French poet from the Late Middle Ages. Banished from Paris for killing a man in a fight, joined the wandering band of thieves that harassed the countryside after the 100 Years War. Composed ballads in thieves' jargon, wrote Lais (series of bequests to friends and enemies) and the Grand Testament.
Christine de Pisan
Italian and French author, served as a court writer for dukes; wrote poetry and prose including biographies and books containing practical advice for women; writing was marked by her knowledge of aristocratic custom, fashion and the practice of chivalry. Perhaps best known for her "Treasure of the City of Ladies"
fur collar crime
After the 100 YW financially strapped nobles used their social status to rob the weak and corrupt the judicial process; government was too weak to prevent nobles from intimidating witnesses, threatening jurors, and bribing judges; led to peasant revolts and the creation of folk legends like Robin Hood who represent the struggle against tyranny and oppression.