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Questions and Answers
Could vassals have vassals?
Could vassals have vassals?
True (A)
Could vassals have fiefs from more than one lord?
Could vassals have fiefs from more than one lord?
True (A)
What would a vassal usually do if he pledged loyalty to several lords?
What would a vassal usually do if he pledged loyalty to several lords?
A vassal usually had a liege lord to whom he owed his first loyalty.
What was a tournament?
What was a tournament?
A contest of skill and courage between soldiers or knights in the Middle Ages is a _______.
A contest of skill and courage between soldiers or knights in the Middle Ages is a _______.
At the age of _________, a boy slated to become a _______ was sent away to the castle of his father's lord.
At the age of _________, a boy slated to become a _______ was sent away to the castle of his father's lord.
He learned to ____ and ____. He also learned to keep his armor and weapons in good condition.
He learned to ____ and ____. He also learned to keep his armor and weapons in good condition.
Any laziness was punished with an _________ or even a ___________.
Any laziness was punished with an _________ or even a ___________.
With his training finished, the youth was named a ________, often in a public ceremony.
With his training finished, the youth was named a ________, often in a public ceremony.
What is Constantinople (New Rome)?
What is Constantinople (New Rome)?
The capital of the eastern Roman empire; capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires that is now called Istanbul was ___________.
The capital of the eastern Roman empire; capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires that is now called Istanbul was ___________.
What is now known as Istanbul was known as _____________.
What is now known as Istanbul was known as _____________.
What happened when German invaders pounded the western Roman Empire?
What happened when German invaders pounded the western Roman Empire?
What Greek city did Constantine rebuild and rename after himself?
What Greek city did Constantine rebuild and rename after himself?
By what year was Constantinople the capital of 'New Rome'?
By what year was Constantinople the capital of 'New Rome'?
The roads of Constantinople fanned out to the __________, to the _____________, and to ___________.
The roads of Constantinople fanned out to the __________, to the _____________, and to ___________.
What did the eastern Roman Empire become known as with time?
What did the eastern Roman Empire become known as with time?
Where was Constantinople located?
Where was Constantinople located?
How did the emperors after Constantine bolster the defenses of Constantinople?
How did the emperors after Constantine bolster the defenses of Constantinople?
Equally important, Constantinople commanded key trade routes linking _______ and ________. For centuries, the city's favorable location made it __________'s busiest marketplace.
Equally important, Constantinople commanded key trade routes linking _______ and ________. For centuries, the city's favorable location made it __________'s busiest marketplace.
What did merchants sell at Constantinople?
What did merchants sell at Constantinople?
How did the emperors of Constantinople live?
How did the emperors of Constantinople live?
How many years did the Byzantine Empire linger after the fall of the Roman Empire?
How many years did the Byzantine Empire linger after the fall of the Roman Empire?
Who was Justinian?
Who was Justinian?
_______ (483-565) was born of peasant stock and adopted by his uncle Justin (emperor from 518)...
_______ (483-565) was born of peasant stock and adopted by his uncle Justin (emperor from 518)...
When was Justinian emperor of the Byzantine Empire?
When was Justinian emperor of the Byzantine Empire?
What did Justinian do as emperor?
What did Justinian do as emperor?
What was Justinian's Code?
What was Justinian's Code?
The collection of Roman laws organized by the Byzantine emperor Justinian and later serving as a model for the Catholic Church and medieval monarchs was ___________.
The collection of Roman laws organized by the Byzantine emperor Justinian and later serving as a model for the Catholic Church and medieval monarchs was ___________.
Who did the Byzantine Empire reach its greatest size under?
Who did the Byzantine Empire reach its greatest size under?
Led by the brilliant general Belisarius, Byzantine armies reconquered _________, ________, and the ___________________.
Led by the brilliant general Belisarius, Byzantine armies reconquered _________, ________, and the ___________________.
The victories of the Byzantine Army under the general Belisarius were __________, as Justinian's successors would ______ the contested lands.
The victories of the Byzantine Army under the general Belisarius were __________, as Justinian's successors would ______ the contested lands.
To restore Roman glory, Justinian launched a program to make Constantinople grander than ever; his great triumph was rebuilding the church of _____________, which means 'Holy Wisdom.'
To restore Roman glory, Justinian launched a program to make Constantinople grander than ever; his great triumph was rebuilding the church of _____________, which means 'Holy Wisdom.'
_____________ (c. 497-548), as wife to Justinian I, was the Byzantine empress from 527 to her death in 548...
_____________ (c. 497-548), as wife to Justinian I, was the Byzantine empress from 527 to her death in 548...
Although he viewed the law as a means to unite the Byzantine Empire, Justinian was a ______.
Although he viewed the law as a means to unite the Byzantine Empire, Justinian was a ______.
What role did Theodora play?
What role did Theodora play?
What impact did Justinian's Code have on the Byzantine Empire?
What impact did Justinian's Code have on the Byzantine Empire?
What impact did Justinian's Code have on the Middle Ages?
What impact did Justinian's Code have on the Middle Ages?
What impact does Justinian's Code have in the present day?
What impact does Justinian's Code have in the present day?
When were the Middle Ages?
When were the Middle Ages?
When were the early Middle Ages?
When were the early Middle Ages?
When were the late Middle Ages?
When were the late Middle Ages?
At its height, the Roman Empire contained much of ___________.
At its height, the Roman Empire contained much of ___________.
How did Rome unify Western Europe?
How did Rome unify Western Europe?
Where did the Germanic peoples who ended Roman rule shift their focus to?
Where did the Germanic peoples who ended Roman rule shift their focus to?
Despite the disorder and decay that came with the fall of Rome, Western Europe was a place of great potential; it had _________ and other resources, such as _______, ____, and ___.
Despite the disorder and decay that came with the fall of Rome, Western Europe was a place of great potential; it had _________ and other resources, such as _______, ____, and ___.
Who were the Franks?
Who were the Franks?
The West Germanic tribal confederacy that entered the Roman provinces in A.D. 253, occupied the Netherlands and most of Gaul, and established themselves along the Rhine were the _________.
The West Germanic tribal confederacy that entered the Roman provinces in A.D. 253, occupied the Netherlands and most of Gaul, and established themselves along the Rhine were the _________.
What four Germanic tribes conquered parts of the Roman Empire?
What four Germanic tribes conquered parts of the Roman Empire?
Who was Clovis?
Who was Clovis?
________ (c. 466-511) ruled as king of the Franks over much of Gaul (what is now modern France and neighboring lands) from 481-511...
________ (c. 466-511) ruled as king of the Franks over much of Gaul (what is now modern France and neighboring lands) from 481-511...
Where is Gaul?
Where is Gaul?
Who were the Goths, Vandals, Saxons, and Franks?
Who were the Goths, Vandals, Saxons, and Franks?
How did Clovis gain a powerful ally in the pope, leader of the Christian Church of Rome?
How did Clovis gain a powerful ally in the pope, leader of the Christian Church of Rome?
Who was Charles Martel?
Who was Charles Martel?
___________ (c. 688-741) ruled the Frankish kingdoms as mayor from 719-741...
___________ (c. 688-741) ruled the Frankish kingdoms as mayor from 719-741...
What did Charles Martel accomplish?
What did Charles Martel accomplish?
What was the Battle of Tours?
What was the Battle of Tours?
The Battle of Poitiers was the _________.
The Battle of Poitiers was the _________.
The battle in October of 732 when Charles Martel led the Franks to victory against Muslim invaders that is also known as the Battle of Poitiers was __________.
The battle in October of 732 when Charles Martel led the Franks to victory against Muslim invaders that is also known as the Battle of Poitiers was __________.
Where did the Battle of Tours take place?
Where did the Battle of Tours take place?
After their loss in the Battle of Tours, Muslims advanced no farther into __________, although they continued to rule most of what is now ______.
After their loss in the Battle of Tours, Muslims advanced no farther into __________, although they continued to rule most of what is now ______.
Who was Charlemagne?
Who was Charlemagne?
What did Charlemagne accomplish during his reign?
What did Charlemagne accomplish during his reign?
Where did the empire of Charlemagne spread across?
Where did the empire of Charlemagne spread across?
Where was much of Charlemagne's reign spent?
Where was much of Charlemagne's reign spent?
What significance did the crowning of Charlemagne by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day in 800 hold?
What significance did the crowning of Charlemagne by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day in 800 hold?
Why did the crowning of Charlemagne anger the Byzantine emperor?
Why did the crowning of Charlemagne anger the Byzantine emperor?
In the long run, the crowning of __________ would deepen an already growing split between the ________ and _______ Christian worlds...
In the long run, the crowning of __________ would deepen an already growing split between the ________ and _______ Christian worlds...
What did Charlemagne exercise control over his lands to do?
What did Charlemagne exercise control over his lands to do?
Who were missi dominici?
Who were missi dominici?
What purpose did missi dominici serve?
What purpose did missi dominici serve?
To ensure a supply of educated officials, Charlemagne set up a palace school and brought scholars there from all over. He asked a famous scholar,_________, to run his palace school...
To ensure a supply of educated officials, Charlemagne set up a palace school and brought scholars there from all over. He asked a famous scholar,_________, to run his palace school...
There, scholars were set to work copying ancient manuscripts including _______ and ________ of _____ and _______.
There, scholars were set to work copying ancient manuscripts including _______ and ________ of _____ and _______.
What legacy did Charlemagne leave behind once his empire crumbled?
What legacy did Charlemagne leave behind once his empire crumbled?
What is a Magyar?
What is a Magyar?
A member of the dominant people of Hungary is a _______.
A member of the dominant people of Hungary is a _______.
What happened in Western Europe between about 700 to 1000?
What happened in Western Europe between about 700 to 1000?
What island was conquered by Muslim forces in the late 800s?
What island was conquered by Muslim forces in the late 800s?
What caused Muslim attacks on Western Europe to subside in the 900s?
What caused Muslim attacks on Western Europe to subside in the 900s?
What nomadic people overran Eastern Europe, attacked the Byzantine Empire, and plundered Germany, parts of France, and Italy in 900?
What nomadic people overran Eastern Europe, attacked the Byzantine Empire, and plundered Germany, parts of France, and Italy in 900?
After 50 years of conquest, the Magyars turned back and settled in what is known today as _______.
After 50 years of conquest, the Magyars turned back and settled in what is known today as _______.
The most destructive raiders, however, were the Vikings.
The most destructive raiders, however, were the Vikings.
Who were the Vikings?
Who were the Vikings?
Where were the Vikings from?
Where were the Vikings from?
What communities did the Vikings loot and burn?
What communities did the Vikings loot and burn?
In their far-ranging voyages, the Vikings sailed around the ___________ and crossed the __________.
In their far-ranging voyages, the Vikings sailed around the ___________ and crossed the __________.
Who set up a short-lived Viking colony on the continent of North America in about the year 1000?
Who set up a short-lived Viking colony on the continent of North America in about the year 1000?
Other Vikings opened trade routes that linked ______________ to ______________ lands...
Other Vikings opened trade routes that linked ______________ to ______________ lands...
Vikings also settled in ___________, ___________ (Normandy), _____________, and parts of __________.
Vikings also settled in ___________, ___________ (Normandy), _____________, and parts of __________.
What is feudalism?
What is feudalism?
A loosely organized system of government in which local lords governed their own lands but owed military service and other support to a greater lord is _________.
A loosely organized system of government in which local lords governed their own lands but owed military service and other support to a greater lord is _________.
What is a feudal contract?
What is a feudal contract?
An exchange of pledges between lords and vassals is a _____________.
An exchange of pledges between lords and vassals is a _____________.
What is a fief?
What is a fief?
An estate granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for service and loyalty in medieval Europe was a ________.
An estate granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for service and loyalty in medieval Europe was a ________.
What did Medieval society involve?
What did Medieval society involve?
What was the relationship between lords and vassals based upon?
What was the relationship between lords and vassals based upon?
The relationship between lords and vassals was both _______ and __________.
The relationship between lords and vassals was both _______ and __________.
What did the relationship between lord and vassal grow out of?
What did the relationship between lord and vassal grow out of?
What role did the lord play in the feudal contract?
What role did the lord play in the feudal contract?
What role did the vassal play in the feudal contract?
What role did the vassal play in the feudal contract?
What did a vassal provide to their lord?
What did a vassal provide to their lord?
In addition to the land itself, a fief also included what?
In addition to the land itself, a fief also included what?
From top to bottom, what was the social hierarchy of medieval feudal society?
From top to bottom, what was the social hierarchy of medieval feudal society?
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Study Notes
Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire
- Constantinople, formerly Byzantium, became the capital of the eastern Roman Empire and later the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, now known as Istanbul.
- In 330, it was officially designated as the capital of "New Rome."
- The eastern Roman Empire evolved into the Byzantine Empire over time.
- Constantinople's strategic location on the Bosporus strait connected Europe and Asia, establishing it as a vital trade hub.
- The city's infrastructure included extensive road networks leading to the Balkans, Middle East, and North Africa.
- Emperors fortified Constantinople with extensive land and sea walls.
Justinian's Reign
- Justinian (483-565) ruled as Byzantine emperor from 527 to 565 and aimed to restore the Roman Empire's glory.
- He expanded territory, including reconquests in North Africa and Italy, led by General Belisarius; however, these gains were mostly temporary.
- Justinian's Code systematically organized Roman laws and became influential in medieval law and the Catholic Church.
- Key accomplishments included the rebuilding of Constantinople and the construction of the Hagia Sophia, a grand church meaning "Holy Wisdom."
- Theodora, Justinian's wife, played a significant role as an advisor, advocating for social reforms and influencing imperial policies.
Feudalism and Medieval Society
- Feudalism characterized medieval Europe as a decentralized system where local lords governed lands in exchange for military support to greater lords, creating a hierarchy.
- The feudal contract detailed the mutual obligations between lords and vassals, including loyalty and military service.
- A fief was a land grant given by a lord to a vassal, including peasants and buildings, emphasizing the economic relationships in medieval society.
- Social hierarchy followed: monarch, lords (dukes or counts), vassals, with vassals able to have their own vassals.
Charlemagne's Empire
- Charlemagne (747-814) united and expanded the Frankish empire, conducting military campaigns across France, Germany, and parts of Italy.
- His crowning by Pope Leo III in 800 symbolized a revival of the idea of a unified Christian community, known as Christendom.
- Charlemagne promoted education and a cultural revival, establishing a palace school that preserved ancient manuscripts.
- His legacy includes the extension of Christian civilization into Northern Europe and the integration of Germanic, Roman, and Christian traditions.
Viking Invasions and Impact
- Vikings were expert sailors and fierce raiders from Scandinavia (modern Norway, Sweden, Denmark), known for looting communities across Europe.
- Leif Erikson established a brief Viking colony in North America around 1000.
- Viking exploration led to trade routes connecting Northern Europe with Mediterranean lands.
- The Viking raids contributed to the fragmentation of political unity in post-Carolingian Europe.
Warriors and Tournaments
- Tournaments were competitive events showcasing the skills of knights in the Middle Ages.
- Young boys destined to become knights began training at age seven, learning to ride, fight, and maintain armor.
- The rigorous training enforced discipline, with harsh punishments for laziness, including beatings.
- Upon completing training, youths were ceremonially named knights, marking their entry into the warrior class.
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