Medieval Europe Flashcards
Where did most people live and work in Medieval Europe?
Most people lived in the countryside, worked in farming, were unlikely to ever travel more than 16 kilometres from their homes
What was the life expectancy of the people of Medieval Europe?
They had a life expectancy of less than 40 years and had none of the conveniences that we take for granted.
What did Christianity mean to the people of Medieval Europe?
Christianity, especially via the Catholic Church, had huge power in politics, daily life and law-making. Its belief system united people spiritually and culturally and provided a framework for order, stability and behaviour in everyday life.
How were wars protected?
Wars were common. Cities had walls around them for protection.
Why were there so many laws?
Law favoured the rich and powerful, so ordinary people found it difficult to receive justice.
What does Europe compromise of the Earth?
Europe comprises about seven per cent of the Earth’s land area and about 50 separate nations including France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Spain and part of Russia. In 2013, 11 per cent of the world’s population lived in Europe; for most of the medieval period, it was 14.5 per cent.
What were the natural defence barriers that marked off one state from another?
Rivers, mountains and other features provided natural defensive barriers and borders that marked off one state from another.
What were the Medieval period divided up to?
Historians divide the medieval period into the Early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages and the Late Middle Ages.
What happened to the early fifth century onwards?
From the early fifth century onwards, the Romans began to lose control of the western part of their empire. Germanic tribes from northern Europe gradually settled in areas that the Romans no longer had the military and economic strength to control.
What happened by c.800?
By c.800, what had been an empire controlled by Rome became separate states, each fought over, conquered and controlled by different groups.
What was the term ‘Dark Ages’?
Some historians use the term ‘Dark Ages’ to emphasise the destruction, social upheaval and lawlessness of this time. This term ignores the gradual nature of these changes and the era’s many achievements, especially under the reign of Charlemagne (742–814).
What was the weather like in the High Middle Ages?
A long period of warmer weather helped provide better conditions for farming. People began settling new areas in the east, and clearing large areas of forests and marshes to increase the land available for crops.
What was the result of the new farming techniques?
New farming techniques improved soil quality and the number of people that farmland could feed. The resulting rapid growth in population strengthened economies through most of Europe.
What happened in the year 1054?
In 1054, after centuries of conflict over key issues, Christians in the east split from the Catholic Church in support of the Orthodox Church in eastern Europe. The Catholic Church retained its powerful position in western Europe, although many rulers resented this.
What was the Black Death?
In the Late Middle Ages, Europe suffered wars, a major famine in 1315–17 and, from c.1347 to 1353, the Black Death (see Topic 6b).
How much did Europe’s population decrease due to the Black Death?
Europe’s population decreased by up to 50 per cent and its economic prosperity decreased as well.
What do rulers usually want?
Rulers usually want to create law and order and make sure that people make good use of their society’s resources.
What was the feudal system or feudalism?
In most of medieval Europe, the system for organising land use and for controlling people was the feudal system or feudalism.
What did Charlemagne do and why?
Charlemagne (c.747–814 CE) introduced this system in the ninth century to help him control large areas of land in Gaul (France).
Where did feudalism spread?
Feudalism gradually spread as Charlemagne gained more land in northern, western and central Europe.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of feudalism?
Feudalism helped countries become stronger and provided people with a sense of protection. It also placed many restrictions and controls on the ways people lived their lives.
Who became King of England in 1066?
In 1066, William of Normandy became King of England after defeating the Anglo-Saxon king, Harold II, in the Battle of Hastings.
Who introduced feudalism into England?
It was William (known as William I, and also as William the Conqueror) who introduced feudalism into England.
What did William do in keeping with the feudal system?
In keeping with the feudal system, William claimed all of England’s land as his own and then divided it up to reward those who had been loyal to him and to gain promises of their future support.
What happened to most of the Anglo-Saxon lords?
Most of the Anglo-Saxon lords, whom William’s armies defeated, lost control of their land.
What happened over time due to the feudal system and why?
The feudal system gave kings great power. Over time, some of England’s tenants-in-chief began to resent the fact that their king, John I (1167–1216), ruled them according to his personal needs rather than the law .
What happened on 15 June 1215?
On 15 June 1215, the barons forced King John to sign the Magna Carta (Latin for ‘Great Charter’).
What was the main idea of the Magna Carter?
The main idea of the Magna Carta was that the king could not just do whatever he wanted in governing the country . He had to:
• respect the system of law that had developed up to that time
• use this system of law in his dealings with the people (especially the barons).
The Magna Carta also supported the idea that people could appeal against being wrongfully imprisoned.
What happened when King John refused to follow the Magna Carter?
When King John later refused to follow the Magna Carta, his barons went to war with him. He died in battle.
How did the common people of Medieval Europe live?
Wealth, or the lack of it, determined people’s status and opportunities. Small groups, dominated by wealthy men, controlled medieval Europe. They lived on the income from their estates and enjoyed the influence this gave them. They heard and decided disputes, fought battles for their king, participated in politics and took part in hunting expeditions and other sports.
What was the main role of a female?
Women had few opportunities to be involved in political decision-making. The Catholic Church taught that they were inferior to men and that their most important task was to be obedient daughters or wives and good mothers.
What was the role of a noblewoman?
A noblewoman married someone who would add to her family’s wealth and influence. The law treated her as the property of her husband.
What is the role of the lady after marriage?
The lady often took charge of the household while her husband was absent serving the king. She also looked after the sick and made sure that the estate was in good repair and running efficiently . If necessary , she organised the defence of her husband’s property against his enemies.
How did children receive education?
Children received the education that would prepare them for their future roles and responsibilities.
What type of education would a lord’s son receive?
A lord’s son might be educated in a monastery school or within another noble household. He would learn manners, Latin grammar, astronomy , philosophy , mathematics and sports that trained him in the skills of battle.
What type of education would a lord’s daughter receive?
A lord’s daughter might receive a convent education or be educated at home under the guidance of a private tutor and female relatives. She would learn how to organise a household and be trained in music, singing, conversation and good manners. Depending on her family’s attitude, she might also study mathematics and learn to read and write.
What was the role of male peasants?
Society expected male peasants to provide for and protect their families and to fulfil their feudal obligations. They took part in all forms of farm work and also served as soldiers.
