Medieval Europe Test Study Guide

Question 1

What was feudalism

Answer 1

Feudalism was a system of roles put together like a social pyramid. In Medieval Europe, the order goes from king, to lord/nobles, to vassal/knight, and then peasants/serfs.

Question 2

Many of Europe’s cities developed along what geographical features?

Answer 2

Many of Europe’s cities developed along the coast or in river valleys where land is flat enough to farm.

Question 3

Define and describe: lord/noble

Answer 3

A lord/noble is a land owner that provides land to vassals or knights in return for protection and loyalty. Lord/nobles control land that was given to them by the king.

Question 4

Define and describe: Knight

Answer 4

A knight is a warrior on horseback who receives land from lords/nobles in exchange for their protection and loyalty.

Question 5

Define and describe: vassal

Answer 5

A vassal is a land owner who receives land from lords/nobles in exchange for their protection and loyalty.

Question 6

Define and describe: peasant

Answer 6

A peasant is a free person who provides labor on the land for lords/nobles in exchange for shelter, food and protection.

Question 7

Define and describe: serf

Answer 7

A serf is a person who is bound to the land they work on so they can’t leave and they provide labor on the land for lords/nobles in exchange for shelter, food and protection.

Question 8

Define and describe: heresy

Answer 8

Heresy is religious ideas that oppose accepted church teachings. (Religious ideas that are against the teachings of the church.)

Question 9

Define and describe: chivalry

Answer 9

Chivalry is the Medieval knight code of conduct that requires knights to be honorable and polite.

Question 10

Define and describe: medieval

Answer 10

Medieval is a Latin word meaning “Middle Ages”

Question 11

What was the manor system?

Answer 11

The manor system was a piece of land owned by a knight or lord. Manor lords were the law of the land, expected to go to war if they survived disease, and their wives ran the household while the Lord was away.

Question 12

Where did monks live as a community?

Answer 12

As a community, monks lived in monasteries.

Question 13

What religion did King Charlemagne promote during his reign?

Answer 13

During his reign, King Charlemagne promoted Christianity throughout Europe.

Question 14

What was the reason for the conflict between Pope Gregory II and King Henry IV?

Answer 14

Pope Gregory II and King Henry IV had a big conflict because King Henry IV wanted to choose his own bishops, but Pope Gregory II argued that only religious leaders should choose religious officials.

Question 15

Why did the Catholic Church have power over medieval life in Europe?

Answer 15

The Catholic Church had power over medieval life in Europe because people would leave land to the church when they died, causing the church to become one of the largest landholders in Europe. Bishops and abbots also gave advice to local leaders.

Question 16

What were the Crusades?

Answer 16

The Crusades were wars for religious land. There were four crusades :))

Question 17

What positive effect did the Crusades have on Europe?

Answer 17

The Crusades led to an increase of trade and the exchange of ideas between Europe and Asia. ;-)

Question 18

What was the Spanish Inquisition?

Answer 18

The Spanish Inquisition was an organization of priests that looked for and punished anyone suspected of secretly practicing their old religion.

Question 19

What was the Reconquista?

Answer 19

The Reconquista was efforts to take Spain from the Moors, which was completed in the year 1250.

Question 20

What was the purpose of the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights?

Answer 20

The purpose of the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights is to have rules that everyone has to follow including the king, and to give rights to the people. (For example, the habeas corpus, which is a right that means people could not be kept in jail without a reason) ;)

Question 21

What was the Hundred Years’ War and what was the outcome?

Answer 21

The Hundred Years’ War was a war between England and France for territory. The outcome of the war was a big decrease in armed knights due to the creation of new weapons during the war that killed majority of all knights.

Question 22

What was the Bubonic Plague and how did it make its way to Europe?

Answer 22

The Bubonic Plague was a deadly infection that spread through Europe by The Silk Road, infected fleas living on rats, and dirty households. :+)