WCS Medieval Times Vocabulary
baron - a noble holding his lands under a direct grant from the king. This person is not a
religious official.
bishop - a person who supervises a number of local churches. This person also held lands under
a direct grant from the king.
feudalism - system in the Middle Ages, based on the holding of lands in fief or fee from the king
to the barons and bishops.
serf - a peasant or servant of a baron, bishop, or king. This person was responsible for the
growing of food and tending to livestock.
knight - a soldier serving under a feudal superior in the Middle Ages.
siege - the act of surrounding and attacking a fortified place in such a way as to isolate it from
help and supplies.
Jerusalem - a city that was considered very important to Christians, Muslims, and Jews. It was
the focus of the crusades.
Muslim - a follower of Islam.
Muhammad - a prophet of Islam.
quarrel - a disagreement or fight.
culture - the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group
obligation - something by which a person is bound to do certain things.
unified - to make or become a single unit; come together as one.
crusade - any of the military expeditions of Christians wanting capture Jerusalem from the
Muslims.
tragedy - a dreadful or fatal event; calamity; disaster
fief - land granted from the king in exchange for soldiers (in time of war).