Study Guide Questions

Question 1

What is feudalism

Answer 1

Feudalism is a system of promises and loyalty where power shifted from kings to nobles.

Question 2

What is a guild?

Answer 2

A guild is a business group of crafts people from the same line of work

Question 3

List three examples of guilds

Answer 3

Bakers
Carpenters
Blacksmiths

Question 4

What did craft guilds make standards for? How did this process work?

Answer 4

Craft guilds made standards for quality in products. Goods had to be made a certain way and prices were set for products.

Question 5

What is the point of setting up standards for products that are made?

Answer 5

The point of setting up standards was to ensure that products were made well and properly priced for buyers.

Question 6

List two agreements that King John promised according to the Magna Carta.

Answer 6

To not collect more taxes without the approval of the people T
To recognize the right of trial by jury

Question 7

What three steps were included in joining a guild?

Answer 7

The three steps were apprentice, journeyman, master.

Question 8

List four problems created by King John of England.

Answer 8

Kept going to war with others and it was very expensive
Raised taxes for the nobles to help pay for these wars
Took away nobles’ castles
Sent people to prison without a trial

Question 9

What happened to the king’s power when the Magna Carta was signed?

Answer 9

When the Magna Carta was signed, the power of the king became limited and he could not do whatever he wanted.

Question 10

List four main locations of a medieval town in Europe.

Answer 10

By a river
By the sea
Near a castle
Where two main roads crossed

Question 11

What was the Magna Carta?

Answer 11

The Magna Carta was a document signed by King John of England that guaranteed the nobles certain rights and limited the power of the king

Question 12

What caused the Black Death?

Answer 12

Rats carried fleas that spread the disease. Rats came on trade ships and entered into the cities at the ports (when ships docked)

Question 13

List the symptoms of the Black Death.

Answer 13

Very contagious
Starts like an ordinary cold 
Sore throat, runny nose, cough (sometimes bloody) 
A rosy rash
Sneezing
Black spots (bruises)
Extreme Pain
Not uncommon for death to occur between 1-3 days

Question 14

How was Charlemagne a stabilizing or steadying force in Western Europe?

Answer 14

He brought Germanic tribes together and created a strong, unified Christian empire.

Question 15

List some of the medieval cures for the Black Death.

Answer 15

Avoid all sin at all cost
Wear a “magical” charm around your neck
Bowls of milk to absorb “evil air”
Don’t sleep during the day
Keep warm next to a fire
Drink melted gold

Question 16

List the results of the Black Death.

Answer 16

Up to 25 million deaths
There was a shortage of serfs
They demanded pay & rights for their work
Once a serf receives pay he is no longer a serf, he is an employee
This depopulation contributed to the end of the feudal system in Europe.

Question 17

How did the Black Death contribute to the end of feudalism?

Answer 17

If the serfs/peasants receive pay and rights for their work they are employees and therefore NOT serfs anymore.

Question 18

How long did Medieval Europe last?

Answer 18

From 476 AD to 1450 AD.

Question 19

How often would people bathe in the Middle Ages?

Answer 19

People would bathe once or twice a year.

Question 20

What did dentists in the Middle Ages think caused toothaches?

Answer 20

They thought that worms caused toothaches.

Question 21

Why was the struggle between the Papacy (the Pope) and the Monarchy (Kings/Emperors) significant?

Answer 21

Because it was about who was going to gain power and control over the different areas of Europe.