SOL Quiz 19
Europe After Rome III
Middle Ages
1. What was an indirect result of the Crusades on Europe?
a. decline of feudalism
b. expansion of serfdom
c. decrease in the power of monarchs
d. decline of scientific and medical knowledge
The decline of feudalism in Europe was an indirect result of the Crusades.
Many nobles died during the Crusades, or were absent from their lands for
long periods of time. As a result, monarchs were able to become more
powerful at the expense of the feudal nobility. The Crusades also weakened
serfdom by helping to revive trade in Europe. This revival of trade led to
the growth of cities and of a money economy. Nobles were willing to free
serfs from services in return for payment of rent in money. Serfs were also
able to leave the manor to find work in towns and cities. The Crusades also
introduced Europeans to the scientific, mathematical, and medical
knowledge of the Arabs living in the Middle East and Spain.
2. Three of the following were true of the Catholic Church in Europe
during the Middle Ages. Which was NOT?
a. It owned a great deal of land.
b. It had the power to select monarchs.
c. It had its own court system.
d. It could expel persons from the Church.
The Catholic Church did NOT have the power to select monarchs. In the
kingdoms of Europe, the throne was usually passed from father to son, or
to a daughter, if there was no male heir. If a monarch died childless, a
council of nobles usually selected a member of the monarch's family to
rule. The Church had other important powers. It owned about one-third
of the land in Western Europe and had its own court system in which
members of the clergy were tried. The Church could also expel persons
by excommunicating them.
3. Medieval European cities usually grew up
a. along trade routes
b. in remote mountain areas
c. near important universities
d. away from rivers or sea coasts
Medieval cities usually grew up along trade routes which
could be used by merchants to buy and sell goods. Some
cities had good harbors or were on navigable rivers near the
ocean or sea. Others were constructed where rivers could be
bridged or forded, or where two rivers joined.
4. What language was used by scholars and members of the clergy
during the Middle Ages?
a. Greek
b. Latin
c. French
d. Arabic
Latin was used by scholars and members of the clergy during the
Middle Ages. It was the language of most educated people in
Western Europe until after the end of the Middle Ages.
5. The Black Death was
a. the attack by Mongol and Tatar horsemen on Europe during the
13th century
b. a disease that killed millions of Europeans during the
14th century
c. the series of civil wars between the grandsons of Charlemagne
for control of his empire
d. a succession of extremely cold winters during the 11th century
The Black Death was a disease (plague) that killed millions of
Europeans during the 14th century. The plague entered Europe by
way of Sicily in 1347. Within two years it spread northward and
affected nearly all of Europe. Between 1347 and 1350 about onethird of the population of Western Europe died from the Black
Death.