Chapter 8 Vocabulary
MedievalMedieval Latin for “middle age.” 1
FrontierFrontier a sparsely populated, undeveloped area on the outskirts of a civilization 2
Missi Dominici Officials sent to check on roads, listen to grievances, and see that justice was done 3
CurriculumCurriculum formal course of study, based on Latin learning 4
FeudalismFeudalism a loosely organized system of rule in which powerful local lords divided their landholdings among lesser lords 5
VassalVassal lesser lords that pledged service and loyalty to the greater lord. 6
Feudal Contract exchange of pledges between lords and vassals 7
FiefFief An estate granted to a vassal by his lord 8
KnightKnight Mounted Warrior 9
TournamentTournament Mock Battle 10
ChivalryChivalry Code of Conduct adopted by Knights 11
TroubadourTroubadour Wandering Musical Poets or Minstrels 12
ManorManor Lord’s Estate 13
SerfsSerfs Peasants who could be bought and sold with the land 14
SacramentsSacraments The holy rites of the Church 15
TitheTithe Church tax equal to a tenth of someone's income 16
SecularSecular Worldly force in medieval Europe; not associated with religion 17
Papal Supremacy medieval popes claimed authority over all secular rulers. 18
Canon Law Church developed body of laws 19
ExcommunicationExcommunication Punishment so that people could not receive the sacraments or a Christian burial 20
InterdictInterdict order excluding an entire town, region, or kingdom from receiving most sacraments and Christian burial 21
SimonySimony the selling of Church offices 22
FriarFriar Monks who did not live in isolated monasteries but traveled around Europe's growing towns preaching to the poor. 23
Anti-SemitismAnti-Semitism prejudice against Jews 24
CharterCharter Written document set out the rights and privileges of the town 25
CapitalCapital Money used for investment 26
PartnershipPartnership merchants that pooled their funds to finance a large-scale venture that would have been too costly for any individual trader 27
Bill of Exchange Paper draft (on a deposit) that was issued in one city and was redeemable in another city 28
Tenant Farmers Peasants who paid rent for their land 29
Middle Class merchants, traders, and artisans that formed a new group of wealth between nobles and peasants 30
UsuryUsury Lending money at interest 31
GuildsGuilds merchants and artisans associations 32
ApprenticeApprentice trainee to a guild master 33
JourneymenJourneymen salaried workers 34