Middle Ages Flashcards
When did the Middle Ages begin and with what event?
The Middle Ages began after the fall of the Roman Empire on Sept. 4, 476 AD.
Why did Europe become such a violent place during the Early Middle Ages?
Europe became a violent place, because the barbaric tribes were always fighting for power among themselves.
Who is thought to be a key figure in bringing stability to Europe? What event lead to the power of this figure and how did he bring stability?
William the Conqueror brought stability to Europe, after he became king after defeating King Harold in the Battle of Hastings. He made things stable by introducing the system of feudalism.
Feudalism involved obligations among various groups within the feudal hierarchy. Create a chart to show the rights and responsibilities of each group.
The king is at the top, and he gives everyone land and he gets money in return. The lords came after the king, who give the knights and the peasants land. The knights would give the people above them protection in exchange for land. Peasants would farm and give most of their earnings to the knights because they were fighting for the country.
Why is the feudalism hierarchy often drawn in a pyramid shape?
That is because the sections of the pyramid are largest at the lowest level and the sections and labels are according to the population. For example, the peasants are the lowest class level and they have the biggest section because their population is the most.
What did Feudalism provide?
Feudalism provides shelter to the rank under you, and the rank above you gets a portion of your earnings.
What did a lord’s strength depend on?
The lord’s strength depended on how much land he had and how many peasants he had working on that land.
What two things did a lord needed to defend his property and people?
He needed guards, soldiers and knights.
How could a regular serf escape from serfdom?
The serf could become a free man by secretly escaping the manor and living secretly without getting caught for one year and 1 day to become free.
How was life as a merchant different than peasant or lord?
A merchant was a type of peasant. The lords also lived in the outside world, but only the merchants had to sell things
How did a guild control society?
A guild controls the price of goods and set standards of quality.
Why was religion so important to people living in the Middle Ages?
Religion was important to them because their life was very hard and therefore their hope for the afterlife was very strong. That’s why they listened to the church so much.
Why do you think medieval people accepted without question what the church was telling them?
They desperately wanted to go to heaven because their current lives in the world was very hard.
Why do you think people would want to become a Monk or Nun?
People would want to be a monk or a nun because they were well educated. The reason is monasteries were great centers of learning.
Describe 3 ways in which the church was central to people’s lives?
The church would give people education. It would advise people and the church would influence the decisions made by the king for the people.
The Church was the only organization at the time offering education. How did this role give the church power?
The church could decide who to educate and what to educate them, so they stay devoted to the church.
What were the Crusades? Who was involved? What were they fighting over? What was the main purpose of the Crusades?
They were a long series of religious and political wars that were fought from 1096-1291. The main forces involved were the Muslims and the Christians.They were fighting over control for the Holy Land.
The main purpose behind the Crusades was to get more land.
What did Europeans bring back from war?
They were introduced to new cultures, and they bought back food, spices and clothes and other exotic goods. They came back with new ideas and attitudes which led them to think differently about their lives and societies.
What two things did the Crusades lead to? Explain them.
The crusades led to safer pilgrim routes for men, women and children. Everyone was able to visit the Holy Land. They were exposed to a way of life very different from them especially Islam.
What was the Bubonic Plague’s nickname?
It was called the Blue Death.
One major cause of the plague was what and how did it spread?
One major cause of the plague was the lack of sanitation. The bacteria spread from the dead corpses that kept laying in the streets.
How did the plague reach Europe?
The plague reached Europe when traders came back in a boat infested with black rats carrying the disease. Fleas bit the rats and got the disease and then transmitted it to humans by biting them.
Why were the peasants revolting?
The peasants were revolting because they had to pay high taxes, and they received lower rents. The reason was that they had to finance the Hundred Years War.
What was the result of the peasants’ revolt?
The result of the peasants’ revolt was that they killed many nobles and burned down many manors. In the end however, they were defeated at London.
