Medieval Europe Focus Vocabulary 7th Grade World History
Middle Ages A thousand-year period that followed the fall of Rome
Charlemagne (Charles the Great) A Frankish king, crowned by Pope Leo III, who built a great empire in western Europe
Feudalism A system of local rule based on agreements between lords and vassals.
Monarchy The ruling class, such as the king or queen
Fief Land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service
Manor A main part of a noble’s land
Serf Unfree peasant who is “tied to the land”
Knight A vassal in Medieval Europe who gave his loyalty to his lord in return for land.
Chivalry The knights’ code of honor
Common Law A law that is developed through the court system and is based on a previous case
Magna Carta A document that King John was forced to sign in 1215 that limited the power of the monarchy
The English Parliament under King Edward I. Model Parliament of 1295
Bubonic Plague (Black Death) Infectious disease that struck Eurasia in the mid-1300s killing 1/3 of Europe’s population. Bubonic Plague (Black Death)
A series of wars fought between England and France from 1337 to 1453. Hundred Years’ War