Medieval Period Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is the Medieval Period?
Period in Western Europe between 500 – 1450 CE
Influenced by Ancient Rome and the Roman Catholic Church.
How did the decline of the Roman Empire affect the Roman Catholic Church?
The Church grew in importance, becoming a source of leadership and stability.
It was the only remaining unifying force in Europe after Rome’s fall.
What does ‘secular’ mean in the context of Medieval Europe?
Relating to non-religious authority or government.
Secular authority declined while Church authority grew.
What is Feudalism?
The political and military system of Western Europe during the Medieval Period involving exchange of land, military protection, and agricultural service.
It developed due to lack of protection after the fall of the Roman Empire.
What was the role of Charles Martel in Medieval Europe?
He started giving soldiers fiefs as rewards for service, tying land ownership to military service.
Known as ‘The Hammer’, he was a significant Frankish King.
What was the relationship between Lords and Vassals in Feudalism?
A rigid class structure based on loyalty and service, formalized by an act of homage.
Nobles (lords and vassals) reported to the King.
What are the two groups of peasant workers on a manor?
- Freemen
- Peasants (Serfs)
Freemen were skilled workers who could leave, while serfs were bound to the land.
What was the Manorial System?
Part of the Feudal System, consisting of self-sufficient manors that provided all needs.
Manors were large estates controlled by nobles.
What was the significance of the Battle of Tours in 732 CE?
Charles Martel led the Franks against Muslims, ensuring the survival of Christianity in Europe.
This battle marked a turning point in the power dynamics of Europe.
Who was Charlemagne?
The greatest Frankish King, crowned ‘Holy Roman Emperor’ on Christmas Day, 800 CE.
He united much of Europe and tried to revive Roman culture.
What led to the rise of nation-states in Europe?
A large group of people sharing common language, territory, and government marked the end of feudalism.
Early nation-states included England, France, Spain, Germany, and Russia.
What was the Magna Carta?
A document that limited the powers of the King and established due process of law.
Initially protected only nobles, later applied to all men.
What was the Hundred Years’ War?
A conflict between England and France over land from 1337-1453.
It helped define both nations as nation-states.
Who was Joan of Arc?
A French teenager who led the army against England and claimed to be guided by God.
Captured and executed in 1431, she became a symbol of French unity.
What was the Reconquista?
The campaign to drive Muslims out of Spain, lasting 700 years until 1492.
It culminated in the unification of Spanish territories under Isabella and Ferdinand.
What were the effects of the Crusades?
Weakened the power of the Pope and nobles while strengthening monarchs.
Contributed to the breakdown of the feudal system.
What was the Black Death?
A pandemic that began around 1347 CE, killing almost 1/3 of Europe’s population.
Known as the Bubonic Plague, it caused severe labor shortages.
What change did the Black Death bring to the labor system?
Serfs began to bargain for pay due to labor shortages.
This contributed to the end of feudalism.
What impact did the Black Death have on the Church?
People lost faith in the Church, believing it should have prevented the plague.
Priests also avoided the dying due to fear of contagion.
