World Retake

Iconoclasm

The social belief in the importance of the destruction of icons and other images or monuments, often for religious or political reasons.

Carolingian Empire

The Frankish dominated Empire that served as a precursor to the Holy Roman Empire, initiated when Frankish King Charlemagne became Holy Roman Emperor.

Charlemagne

A powerful king who promoted education and reformed government, leading to the Carolingian Renaissance and unifying Western Europe.

Magyars

Nomadic peoples who settled in Hungary and were difficult to deal with.

Vikings

Seafaring raiders from Scandinavia who invaded Western Europe, later converted to Christianity through interaction with conquered peoples.

Feudalism

A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty and military service, characterized by a hierarchy of lords and vassals.

Peasants

Bottom tier of society who had more freedom than serfs and could pay rent for the land they lived on.

Serfs

Bottom tier of society with no freedom, tied to the land they lived on, and seen as subhuman.

Vassals

Individuals just under nobles, owning land and having money, and sworn to serve higher lords.

Fief

A plot of land granted in exchange for service in the feudal system.

Nobility

Lords, ladies, and knights who held authority over their fief, with women having limited rights.

Knights

Warriors who trained from a young age under a code of chivalry and fought for lords.

Manorialism

An economic system where peasants worked on and lived on the lord's land in exchange for protection.

Three-field crop rotation

Agricultural technique that allowed two plots to be farmed while one rested, leading to population growth.

Top-down strategy

Religious leaders directly appealing to rulers to convert their subjects, benefiting both parties.

The Seven Sacraments

Religious rites necessary for salvation, administered by the church throughout a person's life.

Church Authority

The significant land ownership and influence of the Catholic Church through bishops and archbishops.

The Investiture Conflict

Dispute between King Henry IV and the Pope over the appointment of church officials, resulting in a compromise on authority.

Monasticism

A religious way of life under monastic rules, which became corrupt over time.

Benedictine Rule

Set of guidelines that monks and nuns were to follow in monastic life.

Hildegard von Bingen

German abbess known for her contributions to music, philosophy, and medicine, advocating for women's roles in the church.

Invasions

Viking, Muslim, and Magyar invasions that ceased by the year 1000.

Trade Fairs

Events where traders from distant regions would gather to sell and exchange goods not produced locally.

Growth of Banking

The evolution of banking practices, especially among Jews, due to changes in Christian prohibition on lending.

Growth of towns and cities

Urban areas that were crowded, unsanitary, and conducive to the spread of diseases.

Black Death

A devastating pandemic that killed approximately one-third of Europe's population.

Crusades

A series of nine holy wars authorized by the Pope to reclaim the Holy Land, affecting European society and power dynamics.