Middle Ages

Question 1

What does Medieval mean?

Answer 1

400’s to 1500’s. Time of transition in Western culture. A period of European development.

Question 2

What were the Middle Ages?

Answer 2

400’s to 1500’s. Time of transition in Western culture. A period of European development.

Question 3

Who was Clovis?

Answer 3

Became king of one of the Frankish tribes in 481. An able military leader. Conquered Frankish tribes. Was a Christian. Recieved support from the Christian church. Franks took over Gaul, thus the name of France. Died and divided the kingdom among his sons.

Question 4

Who were the Merovingians?

Answer 4

Clovis & his successors. With lineage traced back to their ancestor Merovech. These kings after Clovis were generally weak.

Question 5

Who was Charles Martel?

Answer 5

Son of Pepin II. Became Mayor of the Palace. His cavalry defeated the Spanish Moors in 732 when they invaded France. Died in 741. Had 2 sons.

Question 6

Who were the Carolingians?

Answer 6

A new line of Frankish rulers starting with Pepin III in 751.

Question 7

Who was Charlemagne?

Answer 7

The greatest of all the Frankish kings. Pepin III’s son. Ruled from 768 to 814. Spread church teachings and Christian beliefs. United much of Western Europe for the first time in 400 years. Regarded as a successor to the Roman Emporers. His empire was divided into regions, led by counts. Placed a great value on education. Started a school at the palace. Brought scholars together to create a readable Bible and create libraries.

Question 8

Who was Louis the Pious?

Answer 8

Charlemagnes only surviving son. Proved to be a well educated and religious king but a weak and shortsighted ruler. Kingdom was spilt among his three sons.

Question 9

Who were the Magyars?

Answer 9

A nomadic group that terrorized Western Europe for 50 years before being defeated.

Question 10

Who were the Vikings?

Answer 10

The most feared invaders. A Germanic people from Norway, Sweden, & Denmark. Their customs and myths centered on pagan Gods. Ruled by kings and nobles but were democratic. Mostly farmers but raided and looted other civilizations. Took slaves. Savage and cruel. Used large axes and dogs to terrorize. Strong ships. Went to Iceland, Greenland, North America, England, Ireland, and parts of continental Europe. Normandy “Northmen” In France.

Question 11

What is Feudalism?

Answer 11

Political organization of the small, local, independent leaders. A powerful noble (Lord) grants land (fief) to a lesser noble (vassal). The vassal can use the land and its products, but does not own it. They are contracted with loyalty and military assistance to the Lord. Kings, and even the church were a part of this.

Question 12

What is a Fief?

Answer 12

The grant of land in the feudal system. Still owned by the Lord, contracts to the vassal. Becomes hereditary over time.

Question 13

What is a Vassal?

Answer 13

The person who receives the fief from the Lord. Can use the land and its products, but does not own it. Contracted to provide military service and loyalty to the Lord. Could be a Lord.

Question 14

What is Primogeniture?

Answer 14

The system of inheritance from father to the eldest son.

Question 15

What is Manorialism?

Answer 15

Shaped the economy of much of Europe during the Middle Ages. A lord and several peasant families shared the land of the manor. Lord got 1/3, his domain, and the peasants worked and farm the rest of the 2/3 of the land. Peasants offered crops and farming the land to the Lord. Lord offered protection.

Question 16

What are Serfs?

Answer 16

Peasants. In Manorialism, could not leave the manor without the lord’s permission. Very short life span. Lived, worked, and died in the village/manor they were born.

Question 17

What is Chivalry?

Answer 17

A code of conduct/system of rules that dictated knight’s behavior towards other people. Came by the late 1100’s. Knights were expected to be courageous and far in battle. Tricks and strategy in battle proved them cowards. Loyal, keep his word, be gallant to vanquished foes, and be courteous to women and lesser people were all expectations of knights. Did much to improve the manners of the feudal lords.

Question 18

What are Sacraments?

Answer 18

Ceremonies where people would recieve Gods direct favor/grace, or to help ward off the consequences of sin. There are: (Parish Priests perform the first 5) Baptism, Holy Communion, Penance, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick and Dying, (Last 2 performed by Bishops) Confirmation, and Taking of Holy Orders

Question 19

What is the Curia?

Answer 19

An advisory group of counselors to the Pope. Made up of the highest ranks of the Clergy.

Question 20

Who are Cardinals?

Answer 20

The Curia’s most important/powerful members. “Princes of the Church” Advised the Pope on legal & spiritual matters. Could elect the Pope.

Question 21

What is Monasticism?

Answer 21

The way of life in convents and monasteries. Withdraw from the world & its temptations. Serve God through fasting, praying, and self denial. Some early Monks would commit severe physical suffering to prove their commitment to the church. Lived in communities of like-people. (Monasteries and Convents.)

Question 22

What is an Abbot?

Answer 22

One who was elected head of a monastery. Controlled and distributed all property. Assigned tasks for Monks. A monk.

Question 23

What is an Abbess?

Answer 23

One who was elected head of a convent. Controlled and distributed all property. A nun.

Question 24

What is Canon Law?

Answer 24

Code of law to the Christian church. Also courts. If you did not follow this, you would be excommunicated.

Question 25

What is an Interdict?

Answer 25

A form of punishment were all churches in an area would be closed. Clergy was also forbidden to perform Sacraments.

Question 26

Who are Heretics?

Answer 26

People who denied the Christian Church, or taught beliefs against it. Viewed as unbelievers who’s sinful beliefs attacked the church & deserved eternal damnation. Were hunted, and often killed/executed.

Question 27

What is Tithe?

Answer 27

1/10 of a Christian persons income, paid to the church. A kind of tax, collected by your Parish Priest.

Question 28

What is Simony?

Answer 28

Buying a high position in the church, thinking the position would bring you power & wealth. A big problem for the church.

Question 29

Who was Saint Benedict?

Answer 29

A young Roman, left Rome as a hermit. His reputation of Holiness attracted many followers. Established a Monastary in Italy. Created rules to govern Monk’s lives, known as Benedictine Rules. Adopter by monasteries & convents all over Europe.

Question 30

What was Saint Patrick?

Answer 30

A missionary credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.

Question 31

Who was Saint Augustine?

Answer 31

Led a group of Monks to England. Became the archbishop of Canterbury, the center of the Christian church in England.

Question 32

What is Inquisition?

Answer 32

The search for Heretics. If you confesses, you would be forced to perform Penance. If you didn’t, you were turned over to the government for punishment and execution. Sometimes a burning at the stake.

Question 33

What are Shires?

Answer 33

Governmental districts. Governed by a shireeve. Came from divided kingdoms ruled by the Anglo Saxons in England.

Question 34

What is Common Law?

Answer 34

Laws based upon customs & judges decisions rather than upon written codes. Collections of decisions made in courts to be used as the basis for future court verdicts.

Question 35

Who was Alfred the Great?

Answer 35

Came to the throne of Wessex in 871. Wanted to drive out the Danes (Vikings). Attacked them in 876. Built fortifications to keep them out, so by 886 the Danes were exhausted. He signed a peace treaty with the Danes. His successors gained back more land from the Danes.

Question 36

Who was Edward the Confessor?

Answer 36

Chosen by the Anglo-Saxons as king after the Danish line died out in 1042. Part Anglo-Saxon and part Norman (Viking). Died without leaving an heir. Tried taking power away from the nobles and putting more power in the monarchy.

Question 37

Who was William the Conqueror?

Answer 37

A distant relative of Edward the Confessor. Claimed the throne, but was not given it. Crossed the English Channel with his Norman knights and took the throne. Grew to combine Anglo-Saxon and Norman cultures. Brought Feudalism. Made nobles swear loyalty to him. Was the supreme power. Scattered the fiefs. Strenghtened the power of the monarchy. Sent commissioners to all parts of his kingdom to set up an accurate central tax system which became known as the Doomsday Book.

Question 38

Who was Henry II?

Answer 38

(1154 to 1189) Vassals did not have to provide military service to him if they paid him. Used this money to hire mercenaries. Army is now loyal to the king, him. Set up the 12 member jury. trial by jury replaced the Trial by ordeal and trial by combat. But not the trial by compregation. Tried to increase the power of the royals by trying members of the clergy. His sons plotted against him.

Question 39

Who was Thomas Becket?

Answer 39

Archbishop of Canterbury. Did not allow his clergy to be tried in royal courts. The Knights of Henry II murdered him in his cathedral. Named a saint.

Question 40

Who was Eleanor of Aguitaine?

Answer 40

Wife of Henry II. Their marriage brought conflicts with France. Wars in France require funds.

Question 41

What is the Magna Carta?

Answer 41

A document signed by King John. Protected the liberties of the nobles. Provided a limited outline of these rights for Englands ordinary people. Couldn’t tax without permission. Made it so the king actually had to obey the law. Became the supreme law of the land.

Question 42

Who was Simon de Montfort?

Answer 42

Led the revolt and aimed to build middle class support for the nobles cause. Asked for (in 1265) representatives from the middle class to meet with the nobles and clergy. This is the beginning of the Enlgish Parliament.

Question 43

Who was Otto I?

Answer 43

Elected by the feudal lords in 936 to be king of Germany. He was a powerful and forceful leader, known as Otto the Great. Helped out Pope John XII against the Roman nobles. Pope crowns him Emperor of the Romans in 962. Got the same title as Charlemagne His Holy Roman Empire was weakened by internal divisions.

Question 44

Who was Henry III?

Answer 44

His reign as Emperor was from 1046 to 1056 and it was the height of imperial power. Viewed the monarch as over the church. Removed the 3 men claiming the papacy, and made a German the Pope. Chose the next 3 Popes after that. Died in 1056 and left his 5 year old son as king.

Question 45

Who was Henry IV?

Answer 45

Took the throne at 5 years old. Nobles & the church tried to reclaim power. At 15 he sought to strengthen his imperial rule. This brought him to conflict with the Pope Gregory VII. Excommunicated. Fearing rebellion, he sought the pope’s mercy. Allowed back into the church. Makes the Concordat of Worms with Pope Gregory VII.

Question 46

Who was Pope Gregory VII?

Answer 46

One of the greatest Medieval church leaders. Brought spiritual reform by increasing power of the papacy. Believed the church was the supreme spiritual and temporal power on earth, and that all people were subject to the church and the pope. Opposed Lay Investiture. Excommunicates Henry IV, then revoked his excommunication. Makes the Concordat of Worms with Henry IV.

Question 47

Who was Frederick Barbarossa?

Answer 47

Ruled Germany from 1152 to 1190. Wanted to control Italy and the successful trading cities, known as Lombardy. Sent representatives to take control of them. Captured and destroyed Milan. The Lombard cities works against him with the Pope, creating the Lombard League. He was defeated by the Lombard League in 1176, and then signed a peace treaty with them. He was named overlord, but the Lombard League gained political independence.

Question 48

Who was Innocent III?

Answer 48

The Strongest medieval Pope. Strengthened the church and the worldy powers of the papacy. Saw emperors and kings as servants of the Church. Felt he had the authority to settle all political and spiritual problems. Used excommunication and interdiction to settle problems. Increased papal authority and prestige.

Question 49

Bonus: What is Lay Investiture?

Answer 49

When a king chooses the clergy members, meaning that the clergy is not made of actual holy people, but those seeking power through the church.