Renaissance Chapter 1 Flashcards
Define feudalism.
The social-economic-political system in Medieval Europe in which there were very rigid classes of power and authority. Lords held serfs.
Define hierarchy.
A system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.
Define allegiance.
Loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause.
Define manors.
A unit of land, originally a feudal lordship, consisting of a lord’s demesne and lands rented to tenants. Land owned by a lord during the Feudal System.
Define noble.
Belonging to a class of high social or political status.
Define freemen.
A person who is not a serf, but also not a knight or higher. Example: bakers on lord’s land.
Define serfs.
An agricultural laborer bound under the feudal system to work on his lord’s estate.
Define monastery.
A building or buildings occupied by a community of monks living under religious vows.
Define journeymen.
A trained worker who is employed by someone else.
Define sumptuary laws.
Laws that limit private expenditure on food and personal items.
What century did the Renaissance occur?
Mid-14th century to the 17th century.
What century did the Medieval Ages occur?
From the 4th century to the 14th century.
What time span is referred to as the Renaissance?
1350-1600.
Why was it called Middle Ages?
Because it is in the “middle” or between two major historical times in Europe.
What two major historical times in Europe came before and after the Middle Ages?
The Byzantine Empire and the Renaissance.
What religious worldview did Christian Europeans share?
That God was the center of all things.
What was the poor’s worldview on Christianity?
They were to accept a harsh, short life on Earth. They believed that if they suffered, they would be rewarded after death by going to heaven.
What was the wealthy’s worldview on Christianity?
They looked at the afterlife, and donated money and property to the church, hoping that God would reward them with heaven. They believed this would make up for their bad deeds.
What were the wealthy’s religious beliefs communicated in? (2)
- Art.
2. Architecture.
Who did most artists and European thinkers work for during the Middle Ages?
The Church.
How were the Church’s ideas about the World or the way people should act seen during the Middle Ages?
The only right; rarely did anyone disagree. No one questioned the importance of religion.
What were Church officials seen as during the Middle Ages?
As God’s chosen people.
Where did the Pope live?
In a very wealthy state called Rome.
Who did the Pope have an influence on during the Middle Ages?
He had a major influence on kings and their kingdoms and especially on people’s beliefs and actions.
Who were there power struggles between during the Middle Ages?
The pope and royal kingdoms.
What is a feudal system also known as?
A hierarchy.
How was society organized during the Middle Ages?
As a feudal system.
Define the feudal system.
A political-economic-social system of landholding. Class structure and roles were very rigid.
Define diplomacy.
The skill or tact in handling negotiations, especially in government.
Define alliance.
A formal agreement to cooperate.
Define hierarchical.
Based on classes of status/authority ranked one above the other.
What were the classes in the feudal system?
Monarch, Upper Class, Middle Class, Poor Class.
Who was part of the Monarch’s class in the feudal system? (2)
- King.
2. Queen.
Who was part of the Upper Class in the feudal system? (3) What was their role in society?
- Higher clergy.
- Priests.
- Higher or powerful nobles.
The higher priests and clergy often owned land and serfs. They had power just above that of the powerful nobles.
