Important Things
Leaders
Locations
Important People
Types of social structure
100

The great equalizer

The black death

100

Richard the Lionhearted’s brother; abused his power as king by doing things like placing heavy taxes without asking barons or church leaders; angered Pope and was excommunicated from church; was forced to sign the Magna Carta, but didn’t follow it which led to civil war.

King John 

100

Spain and Portugal

Iberian peninsula

100

claimed he had rights to the French throne through his mother Isabella; Invaded France

King Edward III

100

way of life on a manor; economic system that enforced the relationship between the lords and peasants/serfs under feudalism. Serfs were not obligated to protect their lord militarily but they were bound to their lord’s land and were required to work the land (as a type slave) and pay heavy taxes and fees. 

Manorialism

200

Great Charter; established rule of law, due process, and limited government; emphasized that the king was not above the law, all free men had certain rights. Modern sets of laws in England and the United States are based on principles set forth in the _____ _____.

The Magna Carta

200

Successful English leader who utilized technology like the long-bow to defeat larger French armies; won the Battle of Agincourt; instrumental in the development of English culture by becoming the first king since the Norman invasion to speak in the vernacular and not French

King Henry V

200

vast low-lying region in Europe stretching from the southern shores of the Baltic Sea to the northern fringes of the Alps. It covers parts of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Poland, and the Baltic states

Northern European Plain

200

Castilian princess; married Ferdinand; see above for more information

Isabella

200

hierarchy with a king at the top that has the most power. Under the king were nobles/lords, knights/vassals, peasants/serfs

Feudalism

300

if someone is arrested or detained, they have the right to know the charges against them and cannot be held indefinitely without a trial

Habeas Corpus

300

Richard the Lionhearted’s brother; abused his power as king by doing things like placing heavy taxes without asking barons or church leaders; angered Pope and was excommunicated from church; was forced to sign the Magna Carta, but didn’t follow it which led to civil war.

King John

300

A key economic and financial powerhouse, especially during the later Middle Ages, serving as a center for trade, banking, and art (rising during the Renaissance).

Florence, Italy

300

Called “Lion Heart” for his courage. He was a skilled soldier and great general. He did not succeed in taking Jerusalem during the Third Crusade, but earned the respect of Muslims and Christians alike.

Richard I

300

High-ranking nobles (dukes, counts, barons) held large land estates called fiefs directly from the king and managed their own local domains, serving as vassals.

Aristocracy

400

created by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella; organization of priests that looked for and punished anyone in Spain suspected of secretly practicing their old religion ensuring only Christianity was being practiced; spread to Portugal; many found guilty of heresy were put to death

Spanish Inquisition

400

he was a Frank; crowned the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire on Christmas Day in 800; Charles the Great; established Christianity the religion of the empire; united much of western Europe under the Holy Roman Empire through military conquests; instituted the feudal system; promoted education;

Charlemagne

400

the land where Christians lived

Christendom

400

Known as “______ the Great” and was often called one of the greatest generals of the Middle Ages. The Muslim leader successfully held Jerusalem against Richard I in the Third Crusade. Saladin’s people considered him a wise ruler. Crusaders respected his sometimes kind treatment of fallen enemies. Many Christians saw him as a model of knightly chivalry.

Saladin

400

Social mobility was extremely limited; one's status was almost always determined by birth.

Rigid Hierarchy

500

Territorial conflict between the French and English from 1337 to 1453. It actually lasted 116 years, but was fought in stages with long gaps in between. Started when France selected King Philip VI to rule after the passing of King Charles IV. England’s King Edward III claimed he had rights to the French throne through his mother Isabella. Edward III invaded France. The English were victorious throughout most of the conflict because of successful leaders like Henry V; the war caused a decline of the feudal system

Hundred years war

500

Prince of Aragon, later became king; married Isabella and they ruled all of Spain together; they brought an end to the Reconquista; they conquered Granada in 1492 (the last Muslim stronghold in Spain); Required all Spanish Jews to convert to Christianity or the leave the country; also banned the practice of Islam; created Spanish Inquisition to insure Christianity alone was practiced

Ferdinand

500

Region in the Middle East, primarily modern-day Israel and Palestine, sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims for its deep religious significance.

Holy Land

500

young peasant girl who claimed that she had a vision from God, led the French military to defeat the British at the Battle of Orleans as well as several other battles which led to her death by being burned at the stake at the hands of the English King Charles VII

Joan of Arc

500

Medieval society often described itself as "those who pray" (clergy), "those who fight" (nobility), and "those who work" (peasants).

Three Estates Paradigm