Middle Ages Keywords Flashcards
Feudal system
The feudal system was how society was organised in the Middle Ages.
Middle Ages/Medieval Period
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.
Demesne
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.
Vassals
The Kings followers were called vassals. Some vassals were lords with titles such as earl or count.Others were Bishops or abbots.
Knight
Knights were soldiers who rode into battle on horseback and fought for their lords.
Serf
A person who belonged to the Lord and farmed his land.
Freeman
A man who paid rent and tax to the Lord but could travel and marry as he pleased.
Manor
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.
Tithe
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.
Commons
It was a big meadow and all the animals belonging to the peasants grazed on the commons.
Open-Field system
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.
Pottage
A vegetable soup with oatmeal.
Bailiff
Made sure peasants paid rent and taxes
Motte and Bailey
A castle considering a fort on a motte surrounded by a Bailey
Moat
A deep wide ditch surrounding a castle,fort or town, typically filled with water
Keep
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.
Battlements
At the top of the keep. Soilders kept guard on the battlements,watching for an enemy.
Curtain walls
Outer walls of the castle.
Turrets
Strong towers along the walls.
Drawbridge
Raised at night or if an enemy approached.
Portcullis
An iron grille that could be lowered in front of the castle gate.
Ramparts
Ran along the top of the wall. Was wide enough for the Soldiers to walk along
Latrines
The toilets of the castle. The were normally at the side of one of the castles in the keep.
Fallow
Was a crop that was grown in the south field.
Sanctuary
Was when a bailiff could not arrest someone because they would hide in a church.
Trenches
A big piece of bread used to hold food.
Wimple
A cloth headdress covering the head,neck and side of the face.
Hawking
Hunting with trained birds of prey.
Jousting
Medieval pastime.
Dowry
Money or goods that a woman’s family gave to her husband when they got married.
Page
The first stage of becoming a Knight,usually at seven.
Squire
When a boy was fourteen he became a squire. He learned to ride horseback and use a sword.
Dubbing
The ceremony at where the squire became a knight.
Chivalry
A code of honour that a knight should be brave,love God and protect women and children.
Toll
A tax that traders had to pay at the town’s gates.
Curfew
The time when all fires had to be out in the town.
Leprosy
A common disease when sores broke out all over a persons body.
Black Death
The disease that was caused by fleas on the black rat.
Charter
A legal document granted by the king the allowed people to run their own towns.
Guild
An organisation that every craftsperson had to belong to.Each guild controlled its own craft.
Crop rotation
Was when they switch what crops grew every year to avoid diseases.
Apprentice
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.
Journeyman
The second step to become a master craftsman.After seven years the apprentice became a journeyman.He now was paid for his work.
Master craftsman
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.
Romanesque
The first stone churches were built in a style called the Romanesque.
Gothic
Gothic cathedral’s would usually have towers and spires. The arches and over the windows and doors are pointed.
Flying buttresses
These are the arches on the outside to support the weight of the roof.
Dormitory
Where the monks slept.
Refectory
Where the monks ate their meals.
Cloister
Where the monks walked and prayed.
Scriptorium
Where they copied manuscripts.
Infirmary
Where the sick were nursed.
Chapter house
Where the monks met to discuss the business of the monastery and elect the abbot.
Novice
When a boy joined a monastery he was called a novice.
Tonsure
This was a bald patch in the middle of his head.
Matins
Monks get out of bed at 3am to sing matins (morning prayer).
Vespers
Evening prayers usually at 5pm.
Compline
At 8pm the night prayer is said then they retire to bed.
Abbot
Was the head of the monastery and was elected by the monks.
Prior
When he was away on business his place was taken by the prior.
Almoner
Looked after the poor when they visited.
Hosteller
Looked after travellers.
Friar
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.
