The Church & Christianity
What was the main religion in Western Europe during the Middle Ages?
Christianity, specifically Roman Catholicism.
Who owned all the land in a feudal kingdom?
The king or queen.
Who were the Franks?
A group of Germanic peoples who settled in Western Europe after the fall of Rome.
When did the first Crusade begin?
In 1096.
What was another name for the Bubonic Plague?
The Black Death.
What were two main branches of Christianity after the Great Schism?
The Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
What did lords offer to the king in exchange for land?
Loyalty, soldiers, and horses for the army.
Who was Clovis I and what did he accomplish?
He united the Frankish tribes and established the first Frankish kingdom in Gaul.
What was the goal of the Crusades?
To take back the Holy Land from Muslim control.
How did the plague spread so quickly across Europe?
Through trade routes and fleas on rats.
What was the main difference between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches?
The Roman Catholics accepted the Pope’s authority; the Orthodox did not.
Who were the knights and what was their role?
they were warriors who pledged loyalty to their lords and protected the land.
What territories did Charlemagne conquer?
Modern France, Germany, Northern Italy, parts of Spain, and Central Europe.
Who organized the Crusades?
The Roman Catholic Church.
What percentage of Europe’s population died because of the plague?
Around 60%, or about 50 million people.
What services did the Church provide for the people in the Middle Ages?
It cared for the sick, educated people, preserved knowledge, and collected taxes.
What was the daily life of peasants and serfs like?
They worked long hours farming, had little freedom, and provided food for everyone.
What title was Charlemagne given by the Pope in the year 800?
Emperor of the Carolingian Empire (Holy Roman Emperor).
What were two major results of the Crusades for Europe?
Increased trade, cultural exchange, and a decline in feudal power.
How did the Black Death affect the feudal system?
It caused a shortage of workers, giving peasants more power and ending feudalism.
Why was the Church one of the most powerful institutions in medieval Europe?
Because it owned land, made laws, collected taxes, and influenced kings and nobles
How did the feudal system create order and protection in medieval Europe?
It organized society into clear roles where everyone depended on each other for land, food, and safety.
What happened to Charlemagne’s empire after his death?
It was divided among his heirs and eventually weakened.
Why did the Crusades eventually fail to hold the Holy Land?
Because of long distances, lack of supplies, and strong Muslim resistance.
What changes occurred in towns after the plague and as trade increased?
Wages rose, towns grew, and the middle class began to form.