Fall of Rome - Early Middle Ages
What happened to the Western Roman Empire?
It collapsed and was replaced by Germanic kingdoms.
What was a fief?
Land granted by a lord to a vassal.
What happened to Europe's population between 1000 and 1340?
It grew from 38.5 million to 73.5 million.
What was the hierarchy of the medieval Catholic Church?
A structure led by the pope, followed by cardinals, bishops, and other clergy.
What two activities did the Rule of St. Benedict balance?
Prayer (eight times daily) and manual labor.
What happened when Rome divided into East and West?
The Eastern Empire remained intact under emperors in Constantinople, while the Western Empire faced pressure from Germanic tribes.
What did a vassal promise a lord?
Loyalty, military service, and labor in exchange for land.
What was the iron carruca?
A heavy iron plow that worked the hard soil of northern Europe.
Who was Pope Innocent III?
A powerful pope who intervened in European political affairs and strengthened papal authority.
How did monks help preserve knowledge?
They copied books and preserved Roman culture, learning, and literacy.
What was the most important social unit in Germanic society?
The family.
Where did medieval nobles live and defend their territories?
Castles.
What was the three-field system?
A crop rotation system that divided farmland into three sections, increasing food production.
What was an interdict?
A punishment that prohibited priests from administering the sacraments in a territory.
What made the Cistercians different from earlier monastic communities?
They followed stricter, more ascetic religious lives.
What was wergeld?
"Man money" — compensation paid to a victim's family instead of seeking revenge or starting a blood feud.
How did a boy become a knight?
He trained and served an apprenticeship, learning horsemanship and combat.
Why were medieval university classes taught as lectures?
Books were expensive, so teachers read material aloud to students.
What was lay investiture?
The practice of secular rulers appointing high-ranking Church officials, such as bishops.
What was the mission of the Dominican friars?
To preach against heresy. They later became leading officials of the Inquisition.
How did Roman and Germanic cultures influence each other?
They blended together to create new cultures in the Germanic kingdoms that replaced Rome.
What was chivalry, and why might knights fight even though it was costly?
Chivalry was a code emphasizing defense of the Church and the defenseless. Knights also fought for wealth through plunder and ransom.
What architectural innovation allowed Gothic cathedrals to have thinner walls and larger windows?
Flying buttresses, which supported the building from the outside.
How did the Investiture Controversy end?
The Concordat of Worms in 1122 helped resolve the conflict between Church and secular authority.
What did St. Francis of Assisi teach, and why did the Franciscans become popular?
He preached poverty, simplicity, and following Jesus's basic message while living among ordinary people. His message attracted many followers.