Middle Ages
The era in European history that followed the fall of
the Roman Empire, lasting from about 500 to 1500
– also called the medieval period
Franks
A Germanic people who settled in the Roman
province of Gaul (roughly the area now occupied by
France) and established a great empire during the
Middle Ages
Monastery
A religious community of men (called monks) who
have given up their possessions to devote
themselves to a life of prayer and worship
Secular
Concerned with worldly rather than spiritual matters
Carolingian Dynasty
A dynasty of Frankish rulers, lasting from A.D. 751
to 987
Lord
In feudal Europe, a person who controlled land and
could therefore grant estates to vassals
Fief
An estate granted to a vassal by a lord under the
feudal system in medieval Europe
Vassal
In feudal Europe, a person who received a grant of
land from a lord in exchange for a pledge of loyalty
and services
Knight
In medieval Europe, an armored warrior who fought
on horseback
Serf
A medieval peasant legally bound to live on a lord’s
estate
Manor
A lord’s estate in feudal Europe
Tithe
A family’s payment of one-tenth of its income to a
church
Chivalry
A code of behavior for knights in medieval Europe,
stressing ideals such as courage, loyalty, and
devotion
Tournament
A mock battle between groups of knights
Troubadour
A medieval poet and musician who traveled from
place to place, entertaining people with songs of
courtly love
Clergy
A body of officials who perform religious services –
such as priests, ministers, or rabbis
Sacrament
One of the Christian ceremonies in which God’s
grace is transmitted to people
Canon Law
The body of laws governing the religious practices
of a Christian church
Holy Roman Empire
An empire established in Europe in the 10th century
A.D., originally consisting mainly of lands in what is
now Germany and Italy
Lay Investiture
The appointment of religious officials by kings or
nobles