Europe after the Fall of Rome
Why was the location of towns near rivers and mountains important after Rome fell?
It provided defense and access to trade routes, helping towns survive and grow.
What is a manor, and who worked it?
A large estate worked by serfs under a lord’s control.
Where was the “Holy Land” that Crusaders tried to capture?
The Holy Land was the region around Jerusalem in the eastern Mediterranean, considered sacred by Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
Why did the Spanish Inquisition begin and what was its goal?
To enforce Catholic beliefs and punish heresy, especially among converted Jews and Muslims.
Why did some people want the Church to focus more on spiritual matters than politics?
They believed the Church had become too concerned with wealth and power.
How did geography influence life in southern and northern Europe?
Southern Europe’s mountains and coastline supported trade, while northern Europe had flat farmland and rivers.
How did Eleanor of Aquitaine influence European politics?
She held power in France and England and influenced politics.
How did the Black Death contribute to changes in the Church’s influence?
It weakened the Church's influence as people lost trust.
What was the Magna Carta and why was it important?
A document that limited the power of the king and protected certain rights.
Why did religious orders like the Franciscans live and work among the public?
To teach people how to live good Christian lives and set moral examples.
How did Charlemagne strengthen his rule and promote learning?
He built schools, supported scholars, and was crowned Emperor by the Pope.
How did the Black Death contribute to the decline of the manor system?
It caused labor shortages that weakened manorial dependency.
What is excommunication and why was it such a powerful tool for the Church?
It was the act of officially excluding someone from the Church, cutting them off from religious life.
How did the formation of Parliament affect the English monarchy?
It shifted some power from the king to a representative governing body.
How did the Church influence art and architecture in medieval Europe?
Churches were major patrons of the arts and built grand cathedrals to inspire awe.
Who were the Franks and what role did they play in early medieval Europe?
A Germanic group that built a powerful kingdom in Gaul and spread Christianity.
How did feudalism structure political relationships?
It established mutual duties and loyalty among classes.
Why did Pope Urban II order the First Crusade?
To help the Byzantine Empire defend against Muslim Turks and to reclaim the Holy Land for Christianity.
What did the Church do to people who questioned its teachings?
The Church could accuse them of heresy, and punishments included excommunication, imprisonment, or even execution.
What was the main role of clergy members in medieval Europe?
They led religious services, advised rulers, and were influential in politics.
What happened to the Roman Empire in the west after its fall in 476 CE?
It was divided into smaller kingdoms ruled by different Germanic tribes.
What led to the development of towns and trade at the end of the feudal period?
Trade revived and peasants moved to towns for jobs and freedom.
What was the role of the pope in political matters during the Middle Ages?
Popes influenced political decisions and even challenged kings.
What role did Joan of Arc play in the Hundred Years' War?
She inspired French troops and helped turn the tide of the war before being captured.
What role did monks and friars play in education during the Middle Ages?
They copied and preserved texts, ran schools, and taught religious values.