Medieval ages
What time period are the Middle Ages?
500 CE to 1500 CE
What is a serf?
A peasant bound to the lord's land who worked in exchange for protection and shelter
Who sat at the very top of the feudal pyramid?
The King
What is the first stage of becoming a master craftsperson in a guild?
Apprentice
What is the Holy Land and why was it important to Christians?
Jerusalem — it was the birthplace of Christianity and considered sacred ground.
What event in 476 CE marked the beginning of the Middle Ages?
The fall of the Western Roman Empire
What is a tithe?
This is the 10% tax collected by the Church.
What is the correct order of the feudal hierarchy from top to bottom?
King → Nobles/Lords → Knights → Serfs
What is the second stage, where a worker was paid but still learning?
Journeyman
What was the main goal of the Crusades for Christian Europe?
To reclaim the Holy Land (Jerusalem) from Muslim rule
Which institution had the greatest religious and political influence over daily life in medieval Europe?
The Roman Catholic Church
What does "fallow" mean?
Land left unplanted for a year to rest and regain nutrients
What did a knight give his lord in exchange for land?
Military service and loyalty
What fraction of Europe's population did the Black Death kill?
Approximately 1 in every 3 people
Who launched the Crusades?
The Pope and Christian kings of Europe
What nickname do some historians give to the Middle Ages?
The "Dark Ages"
What is a mill?
A water-powered structure used to grind grain into flour
Why was it nearly impossible for a serf to move up in medieval society?
They were legally bound to the land with no freedom to leave
What economic change did surviving peasants experience after the Black Death?
A rise in wages, because workers were scarce
How did Muslim people in Jerusalem experience the Crusades?
As a violent invasion of their homeland, cities, and way of life
What happened to law, order, and central government in Western Europe after Rome fell? king daily life more dangerous and unstable?
Central government collapsed, making daily life more dangerous and unstable
What were the crops planted in the first two fields of the three-field system?
Winter crops (rye and wheat) and spring crops (peas and beans)
What role did the Church play in the feudal system?
It provided spiritual guidance and held great power, owning large amounts of land and collecting tithes from everyone including serfs and lords.
What happened to the Church's authority as a result of the Black Death?
It declined, because people lost faith when prayers didn't stop the plague
How did the Crusades affect the relationship between Christians and Muslims long term?
They created deep religious tensions and mistrust between the two groups that lasted for centuries.