POD Quiz 4 Flashcards
Define “medieval” and what years are considered to be the medieval time period?
The term “medieval” refers to the Middle Ages, a period in European history that stretches about 1,000 years.
Time Period
The Middle Ages is typically considered to be from the fall of the Roman Empire (476 CE) to the Renaissance
The time period is thought of as the years from 500 CE to 1500 CE.
Historical Bridge
Historians view the Middle Ages as a bridge between ancient times (like the Roman Empire) and modern times (starting with the Renaissance), linking two significant eras of world history.
Origin of the Term
The word “medieval” comes from the Latin term medium aevum, which translates to “the middle ages,” referring to the period between ancient and modern times.
Explain two reasons why the feudal system developed in Western Europe during the Middle Ages.
A system of order and protection was needed after the fall of the Roman Empire
Europe was shattered by the fall of the Roman Empire- there was no longer the empire’s military to protect the land and people- and it was plagued by invasions, the feudal system was a way to offer and maintain order.
It was a system based on land and loyalty.
Self-Sufficiency
After the Roman Empire fell, cities became less safe so people moved to the countryside. This shift away from cities helped set up the decentralized, feudal system
The feudal manors were self-contained communities, providing all necessary resources for themselves.
This was important because the instability of the times made trade too risky to rely on.
Explain the responsibilities and relationships in the feudal system?
Monarch (King)
The king owned all the land and granted fiefs to the nobility in exchange for loyalty, taxes, and military support.
The king is at the top of the system, but not always that powerful
Local lords often had a lot of control in their own areas.
Nobility (Lords)
Lords managed the land and protected the king’s interests.
Knights and Vassals
Knights provided military protection and loyalty to the lords in exchange for land and/or payments.
Vassals pledge loyalty and provide services to lords in exchange for land, called fiefs.
Vassals managed the land and ensured the peasants worked the land.
Peasants/Serfs
The peasants farmed the land in exchange for protection and a place to live, though they had little personal freedom.
They rely on protection from the higher tiers in return for their labor.
Go further: For the E!
In the feudal pyramid, the Pope is often shown at the top because of the significant influence of the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages. The Pope was considered the highest religious authority and held great power over monarchs and the people, both spiritually and politically. The Pope could excommunicate kings, influence major decisions, and had control over religious messages, which shaped much of the way of life during that time.
In Feudal Europe, explain how vassals could also be a lord.
Vassals’ Dual Role
A vassal was someone who pledged loyalty and service to a higher lord in exchange for land, known as a fief.
Vassals could also become lords themselves if they were granted a large piece of land and had the ability to split their land into smaller portions and give it to others below them
This would make the vassal a lesser lord to the greater lord
Responsibility
This created a system where a person could be a vassal to someone above them and a lord to someone below, forming a chain of responsibility and obligations that maintained order within the feudal structure.
Describe a medieval homage ceremony and explain why the oath of fealty during the ceremony was important.
Homage Ceremony
In the medieval homage ceremony, a lord would kneel before the king and swear loyalty in exchange for land. This ceremony was an important part of the feudal system, where loyalty and land were exchanged between kings and lords.
The homage ceremony was how power, land, and responsibility were shared, making it the foundation for how things worked in the Middle Ages.
Oath of Fealty
Importance
The oath of fealty was a promise that the lord would protect the king’s land and help him with military service. This oath helped keep the kingdom strong and organized by making sure lords stayed loyal to the king.
In many ways, life in Medieval Europe represented a step backward in progress for people living there. Explain what this means.
Ruins of Roman
Civilization
After the fall of the Roman Empire, buildings and roads that once represented a powerful and advanced society began to decay.
People in Medieval Europe often used materials from old Roman structures for new buildings, showing how they lost the ability to maintain the greatness of the past.
Realization of Decline
Many people saw that life was harder and less advanced than it had been under Roman rule.
They recognized that those who lived before them had a better quality of life with more stability, security, and access to resources.
Connection to Feudalism
As the Roman system collapsed, people turned to local lords for protection, which led to the rise of the feudal system. This shift was a way to survive the chaotic and uncertain times.
Explain how chess evolved into the version played in medieval Europe and how each piece represents different roles in feudal society.
Evolution of Chess
Chess originated in India as “Chaturanga,” with pieces representing military units like elephants and chariots. As the game spread to Europe, these pieces evolved to reflect European social roles, such as kings, queens, knights, and bishops.
King: Represents the monarch, who had ultimate authority and had to be protected at all costs.
Queen: Became the most powerful piece in European chess, symbolizing the strong influence that queens could have in politics.
Knights reflect the role of warriors in medieval society. They protected the king, were the most mobile, and were responsible for defending the kingdom.
Bishops represent the Church, which had great power in medieval times. Their diagonal movement shows their ability to influence society from different directions.
Rooks symbolize castles or fortresses, which were key in protecting land and people during feudal times.
Pawns represent peasants or serfs, who had the least power but made up the largest part of the population.
