Chapter One Vocabulary Flashcards
The learner should expect to llearn the definitions of the vocabulary words. (19 cards)
aristocracy
the upper or noble class whose members’ status is usually inherited
vassal
a person who receives land from a ruler and in return promises to fight for that ruler
feudalism
a system of government in which land is exchanged for loyalty and services
guild
a group of craftspeople who control a certain craft
literacy
the ability to read
estate
an area of land or property
lord
a person with power and influence who controls land given to them by a king
medieval
relating to the Middle Ages in Europe
autonomous
having the power of self-government
institution
an organization that has existed for a long time and promotes a partiicular cause
fief
a plot of land exchanged for loyalty to a ruler
patriarchy
a social structure marked by the dominance of the father in the family
knight
a soldier on horseback who serves a king or other ruler
serf
a person living on a feudal estate who was required to work for the lord of the manor
clergy
in a Christian church, people, such as priests, who carry out religious duties
fallow
plowed but with nothing planted for a period in order to restore the land’s fertility
nobility
powerful families that hold fiefs and titles
manor
a large country house and its surrounding land
illuminated
decorated by hand with designs
