The Middle Ages Flashcards
Feudal system
The feudal system was how the society was organised in the Middle Ages.
Middle Ages/ Medieval Period
It is the time between the end of the Roman Empire and what we call the modern times.
Demesne
Land for the Kings own use.
Vassals
The Kings followers. Some could be lords with titles like earls or count. Others could be abbots and bishops
Knight
Were soldier who rode into battle on horseback and fought for their lords.
Serf
A peasant who was tied to the land and could not leave or get married without permission. Had to pay heavy taxes and rent.
Freeman
A peasant who did not give free labour but still had to pay taxes and rent and could leave and get married without permission
Manor
Small villages or farms owned by the local Lord or knight.
Tithe
The tax from the priest. One-tenth of their crop.
Commons
Where all the peasants animals grazed together.
Open field system
The method in which peasants farmed. Splitting each field into designated strips.
Fallow
Leaving the soil to rest, and would be fertile for next year.
Crop rotation
Every year the farming method would change this is called crop rotation.
Pottage
A mixture of vegetable soup and oatmeal.
Bailiff
The bailiff brought those who were accused of crime to the manor house.
Sanctuary
If a person who was being hunted by the bailiff ran into a church or monastry, the bailiff would not be able to arrest him there.
Motte and Bailey
The Motte was a hill with a fort on top. The Bailey was the enclosure below the Motte.
Moat
Trench dug around the castle sometimes filled with water.
Keep
The main building where the Lord and his family lived.
Battlements
At the top of the keep where soldiers kept guard watching out for the enemy.
Curtain walls.
Outer walls of the castle
Turrets
Strong towers along the walls
Drawbridge
A bridge that was raised at night or when an enemy was approaching
Portcullis
An iron grille that could be lowered in front of the castle gate.
Ramparts
Ran along the top of the walls
Latrines
The toilets in the castle.
Trenchers
Big slices of bread that food was sometimes served on.
Wimple
The headdress worn by the lady.
Hawking
Hunting using birds of prey. A common pastime.
Jousting
A knight fighting against another knight using blunt swords and lances.
Dowry
Money or goods that a women’s family gave to her husband when they got married
Page
The first stage to becoming a knight, where he learned how to use a sword and ride a horse. (7yrs old- 14yrs old.)
Squire
The second stage in becoming a knight, where he learned how to fight on horseback and helped the Lord carry his weapons when going into battle.(14yrs old- 21 yrs old)
Dubbing
A ceremony held before a squire became a knight.
Chivalry
A code of honour that says the knight should be brave, love God and protect women and children.
Toll
A tax that traders had to pay at the town gates.
Curfew
A certain time in the medieval town that all fires had to be extinguished. This was introduced because houses were made out of wood and fires were common.
Leprosy
A common skin disease that was highly contagious. Sore broke out on your body.
Black Death
A terrible plague that raged Europe during 1347-1350. It came from fleas carried by the black rat.
Charter
A legal document granted by the king that allowed people to run their own towns.
Guild
An organisation that every craftsperson had to belong to. Each guild controlled its own craft.
Apprentice
The first stage of becoming a craftsman when you were 7 years old. Was not paid.
Journeyman
The second stage in becoming a craftsperson. Was paid and could leave his old master to look for better work.
Master craftsman
When a journeyman produced a masterpiece and a sum of money to the guild to let him open his own workshop.
Romanesque
A type of church. Had large arches and was dark and gloomy on the inside. Had thick walls and the roof was held up with heavy round columns. Very small window.
Gothic
A new style of church. Has spires and towers. Had pointed arches over the windows and doors. Statues carved into stone into the doorways. Had big windows with beautiful stained glass. Had flying buttresses.
Flying buttresses
Arches on the outside of the gothic castle that helps support the weight of the roof.
Dormitory
A place in the monastery where all the monks slept
Refectory
Where the monks ate their meals
Cloister
A square in the centre of the monastery surrounded by covered walkways where the monks would walk and pray.
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 select the abbot.
Novice
When a boy joined a monastery he was called a novice. He had to learn rules and see if the life suited him.
Tonsure
A haircut they got with a bald patch in the middle to show everyone they were monks.
Matins
Morning prayers in the church
Vespers
Evening prayer
Compline
The final mass of the day
Abbot
The head of the monastery he was voted by other monks
Prior
The vice abbot. He would fill in for him when he was travelling
Almoner
Looked after poor when they visited.
Hosteller
Looked after travellers
Friars
Monks who travelled across the world to help people who needed them
