5.3 Assessing the Dark Ages

administrative

of or pertaining to administration or management

aristocracy

a high-ranking social class, having special privileges and influence

bureaucrat

an official in a government office, especially one who follows rules and routines rather than personal judgment

clergy

the group or body of people authorized to conduct religious services, such as ministers, priests, or rabbis

feudalism

a system of economic and political organization, as in Europe in the Middle Ages, in which one person would pledge to support another person; for example, a knight might pledge to fight when needed in exchange for land from the king

pluralism

a condition or system in which multiple groups, beliefs, or values coexist and are recognized within a society.

province

the administrative divisions of a country or empire