Early Middle Ages Flashcards
Trial by ordeal
There was a very poor justice system in the EMA- the main way to convict someone was by injuring them and watching to see if it healed well or became infected. If it healed poorly, they believed that God was telling them they were guilty
Dark ages
The early middle ages; when the only goal was to survive and people were overall miserable; period of disorder and decline
Feudalism- political/social/economic
Peasants lived and worked on land and owed duties to their lord. It provided protection and organized society, however it was a very complex and unfair system
Fief
Land
Fealty
Loyalty
Homage
A ceremony where a vassal pledges loyalty to the lord
Investiture
Ceremony where a lord grants a fief
Saint Augustine
Influential theologian- his writings helped shaped Christians doctrines
Vikings
Groups of invaders from northern Europe who attacked/raided other parts of Europe
Manor/Manor
Economic side of feudalism where land was self sufficient and within large estates owned by the lord
Lord/peasant/serf/knight
Lords and knights owned land while peasants and serfs worked on it
Charlemagne
Great leader and military leader- he was crowned emperor of the Roman people by the Pope
Monks
People who voluntary separate from society in order to dedicate one’s life to God.
Benedictine Order
A strict set of guidelines followed by monks
Excommunication
A pope has the power to do this; he can ban them from achieving the 7 sacraments (i.e marriage, baptism) through the church which therefore will not allow you into heaven
