Easy Vocabulary
Castles, knights, and kings are all things you would likely find during this time period.
The Middle Ages or medieval times
When there is no government, rules, or leader in charge, a country may fall into this condition.
anarchy
After a long war, a king rebuilds roads, repairs castles, and brings peace back to the kingdom. He is trying to do this.
restore
A medieval society with kings, nobles, knights, and peasants arranged from most to least powerful is an example of a social __________.
hierarchy
These massive stone churches often took decades or even centuries to build and featured stained-glass windows, towers, and arches.
Cathedrals
If you owned a large estate, collected taxes from peasants, and pledged loyalty to a king, you were probably part of this group.
Nobles
In this type of government, power is passed through a royal family and a king or queen serves as the ruler.
monarchy
Excitement about new trade routes encouraged more merchants to travel and sell goods. The excitement __________ their journeys.
A knight helps those in need, keeps promises, and treats others with respect. He is following this code.
chivalry
This term refers not just to the pope, but to the authority and leadership of the Roman Catholic Church headed by the pope.
Papacy
This group farmed the land, paid rents and taxes, and had very little freedom to leave the manor.
Serfs
If two schools compete year after year and are known as each other's biggest competitor, they might be called this.
archrival
As towns grew larger, new jobs and businesses appeared. These opportunities __________ over time.
emerged
In this system, kings granted land to lords, and lords promised loyalty and military service in return. What is this system called?
feudalism
King John signed this important document in 1215, limiting the king's power and protecting certain rights of nobles.
Magna Carta
A merchant becomes wealthy by selling goods in a busy town. He is not a noble and does not work the land. Which vocabulary word best describes his social group?
Middle Class
In a large family, a grandmother who is respected and looked to for guidance could be considered the family's __________.
matriarch
According to a prophecy, a young prince was supposed to become king one day. He was __________ to rule.
destined
Long-standing competition and conflict between kingdoms, families, or groups were known as these.
rivalries
When the Black Death swept through Europe, it killed millions of people. Medieval people often used this word to describe a deadly disease spreading through a population.
Pestilence
A villager who could move to a different town, choose a job, and own property would be considered one of these.
Freemen
In some societies, the oldest father or grandfather served as the leader of the family. This person would be called a __________.
patriarch
Medieval Christians often traveled great distances to visit holy sites such as Jerusalem. These religious journeys were called these.
pilgrimages
Lords, knights, and peasants each had specific roles and responsibilities in this organized way of life during the Middle Ages. What is this system called?
The Feudal system
Merchants buying, selling, and trading goods between towns and countries were participating in this economic activity.
Commerce