Social studies Early Medieval Europe. Flashcards
(34 cards)
What nickname describes the geography of the continent of Europe?
A peninsula of Peninsulas.
What series of events caused instability in Europe starting in the 4th century CE?
Barbarian Invasions tribal groups pushed west and south from Central Asia by the Huns.
What did Clovis, King of the Franks, do that helped him control his kingdom?
Converted to Christianity which game him Political backing by the Church.
Who was Charlemagne and what did he do?
Charles the Great Grandson of “Hammer” Expanded the Frankish Kingdom into An empire.
What happened on Christmas Day, the year 800?
Pope Leo III Crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor.
What caused Wester Europe to fall apart after the death of Charlemagne?
3 Grandsons split the empire and fought each other, then the Vikings Raids Began.
What way-cool things enabled the Vikings to terrorize Europe?
Europe’s Geography of many navigable rivers + well designed viking ships.
How far east did their influence extend? How far west?
East to Kiev, (Ukraine), West to North America.
What system of localized power and protection arose from these uncertain times?
Feudalism.
Who brought the feudal system to England?
William the Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings.
What prompted the conquest of William, Duke of Normandy?
He had been promised the English Throne by his Cousin the was double-crossed.
When was the Battle of Hastings and what celestial visitor marked it?
October 1066, Halley’s Comet.
What famous record do we have of the Battle of Hastings?
The Bayeux Tapestry.
What were the results of the Battle of Hastings?
England was United under Centralized control French entered the language/culture Feudalism is established in England the Mottle & Bailey castle became the standard set off conflicts between England/France for 800 years.
What made feudal system stable?
Everyone had a place as either a Lord or a Vassal. Peasants produced food in exchange for safety.
What did the term “knight” mean.
A warrior on Horseback.
What were serfs?
Peasants who were “Tied” to the land and not free to leave their Lord’s Manor.
On what was the feudal structure based and how was it expressed?
Based on Loyalty (Lord/Vassal), expressed: Code of Chivalry.
What was the basis for political alliances in the Middle Ages?
Families Tied by Arranged Marriages and Exchanges of Fiefs for military support.
What are Fiefs?
Fiefs are land grants.
What was a Motte and Bailey castle?
An early Defensive Structure.
What were the features of the motte and bailey castle?
Bailey: Fenced Village surrounded by a moat.
Motte: Built up Mouned wit the “keep”
How did castles change over the centuries?
The concept stayed the same but they were made of stone.
What was the economic system of Medieval Europe?
Monorlalism Based on Local self-sufficiency.
