Medieval Study Guide
Byzantine Empire
Mosaics- put on top of a dome or on walls, tiny pieces of pottery
Justinian’s code- reflected laws of the Twelve Tables
Hagia Sophia- served as the main church for the empire
CastlesGardens are built inside the castle to make sure the people inside have food while
under attack
Parts-Turret, Keep, Bailey, Manor House
Feudalism
King-Pope
Lord
Knight
Serf
The King needs protection and governing. The king needs loyalty from lords, the
lord provides protection from knights and can give money
The lord has money, they need protection or a decent chunk of land ; may have a
manor house or castle; want to be advisor to the king even get him land
Knight- they fight (armor)-knights need food and want to move up in the worldneed money and land divide up among serfs and have them work for you
Serf- have a tiny piece of land to work on- have no property rights- do not own
land want protection
Knighthood
Knights followed a moral and ethical code called chivalry
Page then Squire then Knight
Pretty wealthy had to buy armor
A knight would go on a crusade for food, new land, and money
The Franks
“The Hammer” –Charles Martel defends Franks against Muslim invaders and
saves Christianity
Charlemagne- improved education, made lower case letters
1066-Candidates for the Throne
Witan- group of English “power people” (they were leaders of England
often lords/arch bishops that decide who will be king)
King Hadrada- Viking, king-royal, leader, uncivilized, foreigner, allegedly
promised throne decades ago
Edgar- royal, English closest to the throne-he’s 13!
Harold-well-liked, except (Tostig) his brother hated him, run England
unofficially, not royal-English deathbed wish
William- Duke-royal, experience, Normandy (Franks), intelligent, but a
foreigner; William says promised the throne by Edward, who sent
Harold ( Harold was shipwrecked William saved him when he was
kidnapped by Count Guy) , the Bayeux Tapestry shows William
defeating Harold
After William from Normandy conquered England he brought a better
system of Feudalism and improves England’s government system. He
also promoted education. William actually improved England. This is
why today England is so powerful. The next few years England speaks
French instead of English.
Last Names- (know percentages)
1.Location ex : (Napoliello= Naples) 40%
2.Relation to Father (Johnson) 33%
3.Occupation (Cooper/Smith) 5%
4.Characteristic/ Nickname- (Short) 9%
Magna Carta- gave legal rights, was written because King John did not
include nobles on government matters, was imprisoning people
without bringing them to trial, and take land from the Church
Habeas Corpus- if the government accuses you of something, you must
be present to hear the charges against you. This way the court can
determine whether or not you are rightfully imprisoned.
English Parliament-a way for the people to get involved in decisions
other than the king
House of Lords and House of Commons-The House of Lords would
consist of powerful nobles who would pass down their seats, while the
House of Commons would be made of elected representatives.
Today the Queen only signs the final law created by Parliament
Inquisition-the use of torture and extreme questioning to convict
people, specifically for denying Christianity. The goal was to get
admission of guilt, NOT find the truth.
Crusades
Pope Urban II calls for the first crusade because he wanted to get back
Christian lands
2nd Crusade-The Muslim recapturing of Edessa led to more crusaders
3rd Crusade-Saladin, Muslim leader, took back Jerusalem
4th Crusade-Crusaders went to Constantinople and sacked the city.
Children’s Crusade- result children were captured and sold into slavery;
unsuccessful
The 1st crusade was the only successful one for the Church, this is
where Jerusalem was reached and captured
Crusade effects1.End of feudalism- serfs move to cities
2.Increase of trade-Europe/Asia-increase technology, better products
to sell, disease (Bubonic (black) plague)
3.Religious tension
Guild-an organization of business of the same occupation
-Apprentice (4-5 years)-a person would work in the trade for a few
years before becoming a master
-masterpiece-in order to become a master, a worker had to present a
piece of their work to a master (qualification for entry into job)
-control prices (one standard price)
-get kicked out for poor quality
Guilds- good- everyone will make the same amount of money
Bad-doesn’t encourage people to do better
Consumer- good- good quality all workers are trained
Bad- set price must pay that price
Bubonic (Black) Plague
Spread through fleas on rats, people thought God was upset with them
-People turned extremely religious, or realized they were going to die
and went and partied and left their kids
-Used herbs and posies as remedies