Chapter 8 Test Flashcards
Chivalry
A code of conduct adopted by knights
Guild
Associations of merchants or artisans
Charlemagne
Ruler who spread christianity promoted a revival of education
Fief
An estate granted to a vassal
Tithe
A tax the church required christians to pay
Secular
Worldly or non religious
Serf
A peasant who was bound to the land
Usury
Lending money at interest
Charter
Written document that outlined the roghts and privileges of a town
Capital
Money for investment
Why was the battle of tours significant
It stopped the muslims advance into western europe
What did charlemagne try to revive during his reign?
The revival of latin learning
Under feudalism, lords granted land to vassals in exchange for what?
Protection (military service)
What was the manor economy based upon?
Farming and self sufficiency
How did monks and nuns improve life during the middle ages
They cares for the sick and poor
Why did the church have great power over people during the middle ages
It decided who could achieve salvation
Which groups dominated the economic and political life of towns during the middle ages?
Merchant guilds
What was the most important economic activity in a medieval town?
Trade
Why did feudalism develope in the middle ages? Also show in a diagram and explain why the structure of feudal society is sometimes described as a pyramid(be sure to give the responsibilities of each class within feudal society)
Feudalism developed in the middle ages because of warfare and invasions that were taking place by the vikings, muslims, and magyars.
As power increased in feudal society, fewer and fewer people held the heihest ranking positions. In exchange for land, food, and protection, vassals would pledge service and loyalty to the higher lord.
-The king or monarch was at the top and rule the society. Their wealth and power was shown through the land owned and vassals under them.
-Below the king or monarch were the lords(nobles or priests) who held the largest fiefs. They were loyal to the king and provided military aid.
-below the lords were knights who protected the fiefdom through military service and adopted a code of chivalry. They also paid homage to their lord.
-peasants or serfs formed the base and made up the majority of medieval society. They lived and worked on the lord’s manor. (The manor was the lord’s edtate that included one or more villages and surrounding lands.) many serfs were bound to the land and would farm the land or pay rent to their lord.
Define heraldry and why a coat of arms was needed. Also explain the importance of the knight!
Heraldry is the art of science of blazoning or giving an accurate description of the coat of arms. During the middle ages, knights used a coat of arms to identify themselves since one man in armor looked a lot like another. In a society where few people could read and write, pictures and symbols were very important for identification. A knight was important because he was trained to fight and protect in a feudal society that was structured to protect invasions.
Whatw were the major economic and major societal changes that resulted from the growth of trade in the high middle ages?
The developement of money economy and new business practices such as partnerships, insurance, and bills of exchange were the major economic changes, which led to a commercial revolution during the high middle ages. The end of the feudal system and establishment of a middle class was the major societal change. This led to the growth of guilds in the towns and cities, which strengthened the middle class.
