Feudalism, Knighthood, & Crusades Flashcards
When the nobles of continental Europe fortified their estates against the Viking invaders, what did the local peasants offer the nobles in return for their protection?
- Tracts of Land
2. Work In the Fields
Who did a Knight lease land from?
A Noble
What is another word for a Noble
A Lord
What is the name of a Knight who leased land called?
A Vassal
What was the plot of land leased (for military service) by the Knight called?
A Fief
What was the relationship between lords and vassals and peasants called?
The Feudal System
Who owned all the land in a Kingdom?
The King
What was structure of land ownership in a feudal society
King - Counts/Barons (Tennants in Chief) - Knights and Nobles
When a vassal received a fief, what was the name of the ceremony where the vassal promised to fight for the noble called?
A Homage
What was the Vassal’s/Knight’s main responsibilities?
1) Military service to the Lord
2) Military protection for the peasants
What was the Lord’s responsibility?
1) Protect vassals land from invading armies
2) Collect Taxes
Who invaded and brought the feudal system to England?
William The Conqueror
Henry II changed feudal system through the practice of “scutage”? What was different about scutage?
Vassals paid money to Lord instead of military service
Scutage led to the development of what military practice by Kings?
National Armies
Estates owned by Lords were called?
Manors
How much land did Lords lease to peasants?
2/3
What did peasants give to the Lords in return for use of the land?
harvested crops
What were peasants called in the feudal system?
Serfs
What grains were staples of the Serfs diet?
Rye and Barley
What was the name of the person who ran the lord’s mill and ground the grains into flour?
Miller
Each manor had a court. Who oversaw and ran the court at each manor?
The Lord of the Manor
Early castles included what features?
Moat, motte, and bailey
Stone castles included what features?
Moat, drawbridge, gatehouse, curtain (walls), keep, Great Hall
A long attack against a castle was know as a ___________?
A Siege
What are some siege weapons used to destroy castle walls and gates?
Battering Ram, Trebuchet, Ballista, Tunnels
In the feudal system when a father died, who inherited the land?
Eldest Son
What career choices did the non-eldest sons of Lord and Nobles have?
Clergy or Knight-Errant
What did early Knights wear into battle?
Chain-mail, helmet, leather gambeson
What did later Knights wear into battle?
Suit of Armor
What are Knights weapons?
Sword, Battle Axe, Hammer, Flail, Mace
What was the name of a Knight’s War Horse?
Destrier
What were important advancements for riding horses into medieval battles?
HorseShoe, Stirrups, Saddle
What is a coat of arms?
A crest worn by a Knight that is unique and symbolic
What was a young knight called during his first part of training. This usually started at age 7?
A Page
Upon completion of training as a Page, what did a Knight in training become?
A Squire
At what age did a Squire become a Knight?
20
Where did Knights practice their fighting skills?
Tournaments of jousts
What was the Code Of Chivalry?
Rules of Good Behavior for a knight
Why was Code of Chivalry needed?
Knights were often cruel, rough, and obnoxious
What were Troubadors?
Poets and Musicians who wrote about heroic deeds of Knights
What was the most famous example of an epic troubador song?
The Song of Roland about Charlemagne
What was another famous epic troubador poem about a King of England?
King Arthur and Knights of Roundtable
What was the name of the search for the last chalice used in the Last Supper called?
Search For The Holy Grail
Exclusive clubs of Knights founded by Kings in late Middle Ages were called?
Orders of Chivalry
When did Arab Muslims first conquer Palestine and gain control of Jerusalem?
638
Did Arab Muslims allow Christians to visit holy sites in Jerusalem?
Yes
When did Seljuk Turks capture Jerusalem?
1076
Why did Alexius I, ruler of Byzantium appeal to Western Church to help him?
Turks, known as Saracens, were preparing to invade Constantinople
When did Pope Urban II make appeal for 1st Crusade to remove Saracens from Holy Lands?
1095 at Council of Clermont
What did the Pope promise?
Property would be protected. All debts would be forgiven. If you died, you would go to Heaven
When did Orthodox Church of Constantinople split with Roman Catholic Church?
1095
What were people who went to conquer Jerusalem called?
Crusaders
When did the first crusade occur?
1096 - 1099
Why did it take 3 years for Crusaders to reach Jerusalem?
Long Way, Poor Supplies, No Local Support, Different Climate
What did Crusaders do when they finally entered Jerusalem on June 7, 1099?
Massacred everyone
Who was titled “Defender of the Holy Sepulcher”?
Godfrey of Bouillon
What was the name of the feudal territories conquered by crusaders?
Outremer (Kingdom Beyond The Sea)
What group was formed to protect travelers to the Holy Land but really just started killing all non-Christians?
Templars
What good things did Templars establish?
Network of Castles throughout Europe, Middle East, and Africa
Banking System
What other group was established to help travelers to Holy Land?
Hospitallers
When was the 2nd Crusade?
1147 - 1149
Who led the 2nd Crusade?
French King Louis VII and Conrad III
When was the 3rd Crusade?
1189 - 1192
Who united the Muslims in the Middle East in 1174?
Saladin
When did Saladin capture Jerusalem?
1187
Who led the 3rd Crusade for Christians?
King Richard of England
What ended the 3rd Crusade?
Treaty between Richard and Saladin. Richard had to return to England because King Philip of France was planning on seizing the throne.
When Richard went back to England what happened on journey back?
Held ransom by Leopold of Austria for $100,000 silver marks
When did the 4th Crusade happen?
1204
Instead of attacking Jerusalem, what did Crusaders attack?
Zara and Constantinople
Who benefitted most from 4th Crusade? and why?
Venetians. They had a trading monopoly on the Mediterranean Sea.
What were effects of first 3 crusades?
- Trends imported back from Muslim Culture - learning, science, mathematics
- Venice become major trading port across Europe
- Fighting in the East allowed nation states in West to grow in power (France, England) as Kings grabbed more power from Knights.
