The Early Middle Ages Study Guide for:
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Lesson 1 Test
Geography of Europe:
Kingdoms in Western Europe; The Church and its Influence
Learning Targets:
• Identify the physical location and features of Europe including the Alps, the Ural Mts,
the North European Plain, and the Mediterranean Sea and the influence of the North
Atlantic Drift.
• Demonstrate understanding of the conflict and cooperation between the Papacy and
European monarchs, including Charlemagne, Gregory VII, and Emperor Henry IV.
• Examine the spread of Christianity north of the Alps and the roles played by the early
church and by monasteries in its diffusion after the fall of the western half of the
Roman Empire.
• Outline the decline of Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula that culminated in the
Reconquista, Inquisition, and the rise of Spanish and Portuguese kingdoms.
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1. What is a missionary meant to do?
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2. What natural process created the fjords?
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3. How did mountains and rivers make it difficult for one group to control all of Europe?
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4. What happened in Britain after Roman armies abandoned the area during the 400s?
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5. In what modern countries did the Franks settle? __________________________________
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6. What did Charlemagne do to advance education? _________________________________
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7. What role did monasteries play in medieval Europe? ______________________________
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8. Henry IV begged for the pope’s forgiveness. If you were going to interview King
Henry about this incident, what three questions would you ask him? Write your
answer in a paragraph. ___________________________________________________________
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9. Based on Europe’s Geography and People Connection Map on page 245, where did
the Celtic peoples live? _________________________________________________________
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10. Why do you think there are no national boundaries on this map? __________________
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11. King Clovis won the support of Romans living in his kingdom when he accepted
Christianity. Why might the Romans in the kingdom have accepted Clovis more
after he became a Christian? ___________________________________________________
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12. Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne “Emperor of the Romans.” Why was it
important that the pope led the crowning ceremony? _____________________________
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13. INFORMATION TO KNOW
Vikings sailed the northern seas in boats powered by oars and the wind. This
longship is a replica of a Viking ship that carried explorers.
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14. During the Early Middle Ages, several different groups invaded and settled in
Europe. Based on the “Invasions of Europe” map on page 249, Which groups of
invaders traveled by sea? _______________________________________________________
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15. INFORMATION TO KNOW
In the days before printing presses, monks helped preserve knowledge by copying
classical Greek and Roman writings as well as the Bible and other early Christian
writings.
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16. The image on page 250 shows Pope Gregory VII wearing his official
vestments as head of the Church. Why do you think Pope Gregory VII wanted to
stop kings from choosing Church officials? _______________________________________
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Lesson 2 Test
Feudalism and the Rise of Towns:
In what modern countries did the Franks settle?
The Feudal Order; The Medieval Manor; The Growth of Towns and Ci
Learning Targets
• Describe the development of feudalism and manorialism, its role in the medieval role
European economy, and the way in which it was influenced by physical geography (the
role of the manor and the growth of towns).
• Trace the emergence of a modern economy, including the growth of banking,
technological and agricultural improvements, commerce, towns, and a merchant
class.
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17. What was a fief? ________________________________________________________________
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18. Draw a chart to show the major parts of a medieval manor.
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19. What impact did the code of chivalry have on knights during the Middle Ages?
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20. What explains the development of cities and towns during the Middle Ages?
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21. If you were a person in business in medieval Europe, why would membership in a
guild be important to you? ______________________________________________________
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22. What new inventions allowed people in Western Europe to grow more food during
the Middle Ages? What was the result of this increase in food production?
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23. How did Europeans try to bring order to their society after the fall of
Charlemagne's empire?
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24. INFORMATION TO KNOW
Castles in the Middle Ages were designed to provide good defenses for their
owners. For example, castles often occupied high ground. High towers at each
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corner gave soldiers the chance to drive attackers away.
25. Serfs had a busy life working in the fields growing the lord’s crops and their own.
What happened to the crops that serfs grew on their own land? ___________________
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26. INFORMATION TO KNOW
A medieval manor had several parts. At the center was the lord’s castle or fortified
manor house. Peasants usually lived in a small village nearby. The village
contained cottages, huts, barns, gardens, and perhaps a small church. The
peasants grew crops in the fields around the village. Manors were found not only in
western Europe, but were also common in Russia and Japan.
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What were the four areas of a medieval manor? __________________________________
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27. INFORMATION TO KNOW
As Europe became more feudalistic, towns and cities grew. Tall stone buildings
lining narrow streets were similar in England and France. This street is still in use
in Blesle, France.
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28. Trade was lively in medieval marketplaces with a variety of products for sale.
What kinds of goods appear to be available at this market? _______________________
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