Middle Ages Keywords

Question 0

Feudal system

Answer 0

The feudal system was how society was organised in the Middle Ages.

Question 1

Middle Ages/Medieval Period

Answer 1

A time from about AD 500 to about 1500 is called the Middle Ages or the Medieval period.It was between the the end of the Roman Empire and what we call modern times.

Question 2

Demesne

Answer 2

The king owned all the land.But he could not control or farm it all himself so he gave some to his followers.He kept about a quarter of the land for his own use.

Question 3

Vassals

Answer 3

The Kings followers were called vassals. Some vassals were lords with titles such as earl or count.Others were Bishops or abbots.

Question 4

Knight

Answer 4

Knights were soldiers who rode into battle on horseback and fought for their lords.

Question 5

Serf

Answer 5

A person who belonged to the Lord and farmed his land.

Question 6

Freeman

Answer 6

A man who paid rent and tax to the Lord but could travel and marry as he pleased.

Question 7

Manor

Answer 7

There were usually twenty to thirty houses in a village. The peasants farmed the land around the village,which was divided into three big fields.

Question 8

Tithe

Answer 8

In the centre of the village is the church.The priest lived in a house beside it. He said mass for the peasants on Sunday,baptised and buried them. They paid him by giving him one-tenth of their crops.

Question 9

Commons

Answer 9

It was a big meadow and all the animals belonging to the peasants grazed on the commons.

Question 10

Open-Field system

Answer 10

The peasants farmed using this method.The land of the manor was divided into two parts.One big part was called the commons,all the animals belonged there.The other part was where the crops grew.

Question 11

Pottage

Answer 11

A vegetable soup with oatmeal.

Question 12

Bailiff

Answer 12

Made sure peasants paid rent and taxes

Question 13

Motte and Bailey

Answer 13

A castle considering a fort on a motte surrounded by a Bailey

Question 14

Moat

Answer 14

A deep wide ditch surrounding a castle,fort or town, typically filled with water

Question 15

Keep

Answer 15

Main building in the castle.The Lord and lady and some soilders lived.The windows were narrow slits which made it difficult for enemies to attack.

Question 16

Battlements

Answer 16

At the top of the keep. Soilders kept guard on the battlements,watching for an enemy.

Question 17

Curtain walls

Answer 17

Outer walls of the castle.

Question 18

Turrets

Answer 18

Strong towers along the walls.

Question 19

Drawbridge

Answer 19

Raised at night or if an enemy approached.

Question 20

Portcullis

Answer 20

An iron grille that could be lowered in front of the castle gate.

Question 21

Ramparts

Answer 21

Ran along the top of the wall. Was wide enough for the Soldiers to walk along

Question 22

Latrines

Answer 22

The toilets of the castle. The were normally at the side of one of the castles in the keep.

Question 23

Fallow

Answer 23

Was a crop that was grown in the south field.

Question 24

Sanctuary

Answer 24

Was when a bailiff could not arrest someone because they would hide in a church.

Question 25

Trenches

Answer 25

A big piece of bread used to hold food.

Question 26

Wimple

Answer 26

A cloth headdress covering the head,neck and side of the face.

Question 27

Hawking

Answer 27

Hunting with trained birds of prey.

Question 28

Jousting

Answer 28

Medieval pastime.

Question 29

Dowry

Answer 29

Money or goods that a woman’s family gave to her husband when they got married.

Question 30

Page

Answer 30

The first stage of becoming a Knight,usually at seven.

Question 31

Squire

Answer 31

When a boy was fourteen he became a squire. He learned to ride horseback and use a sword.

Question 32

Dubbing

Answer 32

The ceremony at where the squire became a knight.

Question 33

Chivalry

Answer 33

A code of honour that a knight should be brave,love God and protect women and children.

Question 34

Toll

Answer 34

A tax that traders had to pay at the town’s gates.

Question 35

Curfew

Answer 35

The time when all fires had to be out in the town.

Question 36

Leprosy

Answer 36

A common disease when sores broke out all over a persons body.

Question 37

Black Death

Answer 37

The disease that was caused by fleas on the black rat.

Question 38

Charter

Answer 38

A legal document granted by the king the allowed people to run their own towns.

Question 39

Guild

Answer 39

An organisation that every craftsperson had to belong to.Each guild controlled its own craft.

Question 40

Crop rotation

Answer 40

Was when they switch what crops grew every year to avoid diseases.

Question 41

Apprentice

Answer 41

At twelve he became a apprentice,for seven years he lived with in the house of a master craftsman to learn the trade.He also worked for free.

Question 42

Journeyman

Answer 42

The second step to become a master craftsman.After seven years the apprentice became a journeyman.He now was paid for his work.

Question 43

Master craftsman

Answer 43

To become a master craftsman he had to produce a “masterpiece”.Then he could have his own workshop and sell his goods in the town.Along with the masterpiece,the man had to give a large payment to the guild.

Question 44

Romanesque

Answer 44

The first stone churches were built in a style called the Romanesque.

Question 45

Gothic

Answer 45

Gothic cathedral’s would usually have towers and spires. The arches and over the windows and doors are pointed.

Question 46

Flying buttresses

Answer 46

These are the arches on the outside to support the weight of the roof.

Question 47

Dormitory

Answer 47

Where the monks slept.

Question 48

Refectory

Answer 48

Where the monks ate their meals.

Question 49

Cloister

Answer 49

Where the monks walked and prayed.

Question 50

Scriptorium

Answer 50

Where they copied manuscripts.

Question 51

Infirmary

Answer 51

Where the sick were nursed.

Question 52

Chapter house

Answer 52

Where the monks met to discuss the business of the monastery and elect the abbot.

Question 53

Novice

Answer 53

When a boy joined a monastery he was called a novice.

Question 54

Tonsure

Answer 54

This was a bald patch in the middle of his head.

Question 55

Matins

Answer 55

Monks get out of bed at 3am to sing matins (morning prayer).

Question 56

Vespers

Answer 56

Evening prayers usually at 5pm.

Question 57

Compline

Answer 57

At 8pm the night prayer is said then they retire to bed.

Question 58

Abbot

Answer 58

Was the head of the monastery and was elected by the monks.

Question 59

Prior

Answer 59

When he was away on business his place was taken by the prior.

Question 60

Almoner

Answer 60

Looked after the poor when they visited.

Question 61

Hosteller

Answer 61

Looked after travellers.

Question 62

Friar

Answer 62

A different kind of monk. Friars travelled from place to place,working with the poor. One group of Friars was called the Franciscans after its founder, St Francis of Assisi.