Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary activity men engaged in during Germanic society?
What was the primary activity men engaged in during Germanic society?
- Fighting, hunting, drinking, and gambling (correct)
- Textile production and trade
- Craftsmanship and pot-making
- Farming and domestic tasks
Which of the following describes the Germanic view on guilt and innocence?
Which of the following describes the Germanic view on guilt and innocence?
- Punishment varied irrespective of social status
- Innocent until proven guilty was the standard
- Accused individuals were guilty until proven innocent (correct)
- Guilt was determined solely by character witnesses
What was the purpose of compurgation in Germanic law?
What was the purpose of compurgation in Germanic law?
- To enable friends and relatives to testify for the accused (correct)
- To determine guilt by combat
- To extract fines from the accused's family
- To punish the innocent
Which god was associated with thunder in Germanic religion?
Which god was associated with thunder in Germanic religion?
What notable aspect did Germanic culture lose from Roman influence?
What notable aspect did Germanic culture lose from Roman influence?
In Germanic society, what was the primary role of women?
In Germanic society, what was the primary role of women?
What was Valhalla in Germanic beliefs?
What was Valhalla in Germanic beliefs?
What kind of homes did the Germanic people live in?
What kind of homes did the Germanic people live in?
What was one of the reasons medieval knights engaged in wars?
What was one of the reasons medieval knights engaged in wars?
Which of the following is NOT a part of the knight's training as a Page?
Which of the following is NOT a part of the knight's training as a Page?
What was an essential duty of a Squire?
What was an essential duty of a Squire?
What was the weight of a typical medieval helmet?
What was the weight of a typical medieval helmet?
Which medieval weapon was usually 16 feet long?
Which medieval weapon was usually 16 feet long?
What was a common goal in the strategy of medieval knights?
What was a common goal in the strategy of medieval knights?
What was a major form of entertainment for knights and nobles?
What was a major form of entertainment for knights and nobles?
What was NOT a part of the ceremony of knighthood?
What was NOT a part of the ceremony of knighthood?
What was the purpose of the demesne in a medieval manor?
What was the purpose of the demesne in a medieval manor?
What type of structure did medieval manors typically resemble?
What type of structure did medieval manors typically resemble?
What was a common activity for entertainment involving animals?
What was a common activity for entertainment involving animals?
During battles, foot soldiers followed a strategy primarily involving what?
During battles, foot soldiers followed a strategy primarily involving what?
What were the primary defensive features of a gatehouse?
What were the primary defensive features of a gatehouse?
What factors contributed to a manor's self-sufficiency?
What factors contributed to a manor's self-sufficiency?
Which methods were commonly used to attack castles?
Which methods were commonly used to attack castles?
What role did Master James of St. George play in castle construction?
What role did Master James of St. George play in castle construction?
What was a potential consequence of losing in a jousting tournament?
What was a potential consequence of losing in a jousting tournament?
What factor contributed to the formation of towns during this period?
What factor contributed to the formation of towns during this period?
Where did towns commonly begin to form?
Where did towns commonly begin to form?
What was one major result of the surplus production in towns?
What was one major result of the surplus production in towns?
In what ways were noble women’s lives constrained during this time?
In what ways were noble women’s lives constrained during this time?
What initiated the Crusading movement?
What initiated the Crusading movement?
What was a significant feature of Pope Urban II's speech to rally support for the Crusades?
What was a significant feature of Pope Urban II's speech to rally support for the Crusades?
What characterized the People’s Crusade led by Peter the Hermit?
What characterized the People’s Crusade led by Peter the Hermit?
What was one outcome of the First Crusade?
What was one outcome of the First Crusade?
How did Saladin manage to recapture Jerusalem from the Crusaders?
How did Saladin manage to recapture Jerusalem from the Crusaders?
What was a distinctive characteristic of Saladin compared to the Crusaders?
What was a distinctive characteristic of Saladin compared to the Crusaders?
During what period did the Third Crusade take place?
During what period did the Third Crusade take place?
What event marked the end of Richard the Lion Heart's campaign in the Holy Land?
What event marked the end of Richard the Lion Heart's campaign in the Holy Land?
Which of the following was NOT a consequence of the Crusades?
Which of the following was NOT a consequence of the Crusades?
What bacterium caused the Black Death?
What bacterium caused the Black Death?
Where is it believed the Black Death originated?
Where is it believed the Black Death originated?
Which symptom is NOT associated with the Black Death?
Which symptom is NOT associated with the Black Death?
What was a common reaction among Europeans regarding the cause of the Black Death?
What was a common reaction among Europeans regarding the cause of the Black Death?
What was the effect of the Black Death on the authority of the Church?
What was the effect of the Black Death on the authority of the Church?
How did the labor force change as a result of the Black Death?
How did the labor force change as a result of the Black Death?
What mistaken belief about the plague led to people creating quack cures?
What mistaken belief about the plague led to people creating quack cures?
What type of reasoning is illustrated by the following logic: 'The Black Death is a punishing disease sent by God to avenge man’s wickedness. Jeff has the plague. Therefore, Jeff is evil.'?
What type of reasoning is illustrated by the following logic: 'The Black Death is a punishing disease sent by God to avenge man’s wickedness. Jeff has the plague. Therefore, Jeff is evil.'?
What was a primary characteristic of the life of the serfs on the manor?
What was a primary characteristic of the life of the serfs on the manor?
Which of the following roles acted on behalf of the lord when he was absent?
Which of the following roles acted on behalf of the lord when he was absent?
What was a defining feature of the homes of the people living on the manor?
What was a defining feature of the homes of the people living on the manor?
What was a significant characteristic of the diet of the manor's inhabitants?
What was a significant characteristic of the diet of the manor's inhabitants?
What tax was commonly required of serfs, representing a portion of their harvest?
What tax was commonly required of serfs, representing a portion of their harvest?
In the manor court, which method was used for judging legal matters?
In the manor court, which method was used for judging legal matters?
What was one of the purposes of the moat around a castle?
What was one of the purposes of the moat around a castle?
What aspect of the motte and bailey castle provided a defensive advantage?
What aspect of the motte and bailey castle provided a defensive advantage?
What was a major limitation of the earliest castles made of wood?
What was a major limitation of the earliest castles made of wood?
Which invention was NOT associated with farming advancements during this historical period?
Which invention was NOT associated with farming advancements during this historical period?
What role did the castleguard play in the manor?
What role did the castleguard play in the manor?
What distinguished a test peasant from a serf?
What distinguished a test peasant from a serf?
What was a common recreational activity mentioned for the manorial people?
What was a common recreational activity mentioned for the manorial people?
What primary obligation does a vassal have to their lord?
What primary obligation does a vassal have to their lord?
Which of the following best describes the role of peasants in the feudal system?
Which of the following best describes the role of peasants in the feudal system?
What is the significance of the 'Hiroj' in the context of Muhammad's life?
What is the significance of the 'Hiroj' in the context of Muhammad's life?
Which of the following statements about feudalism is accurate?
Which of the following statements about feudalism is accurate?
What was one of the main reasons for the spread of Islam during the early centuries?
What was one of the main reasons for the spread of Islam during the early centuries?
Which statement accurately reflects the obligations of believers in Islam?
Which statement accurately reflects the obligations of believers in Islam?
What was the primary reason for Charles Martel's actions against the spread of Islam?
What was the primary reason for Charles Martel's actions against the spread of Islam?
In the context of warfare during the medieval period, which statement is true?
In the context of warfare during the medieval period, which statement is true?
Which of the following represents a misconception about Jihad?
Which of the following represents a misconception about Jihad?
What did the term 'fief' refer to in the feudal system?
What did the term 'fief' refer to in the feudal system?
How were serfs different from knights in the feudal system?
How were serfs different from knights in the feudal system?
What was a characteristic of warfare in the medieval period?
What was a characteristic of warfare in the medieval period?
What was Muhammad’s background before he became a prophet?
What was Muhammad’s background before he became a prophet?
What did the Angel Gabriel reveal to Muhammad?
What did the Angel Gabriel reveal to Muhammad?
Flashcards
Polytheism
Polytheism
The belief in many gods.
Innocent Until Proven Guilty
Innocent Until Proven Guilty
A system of justice where the accused was presumed guilty until proven innocent.
Compurgation
Compurgation
A method of proving innocence by having friends and family vouch for one's character.
Ordeal
Ordeal
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Fine System
Fine System
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King
King
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Tribal Political Organization
Tribal Political Organization
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Valhalla
Valhalla
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Feudalism
Feudalism
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Fief
Fief
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Fealty
Fealty
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Hommage
Hommage
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Serfs/Peasants
Serfs/Peasants
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Lord
Lord
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Vassal
Vassal
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Islam
Islam
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Qur'an
Qur'an
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Hajj
Hajj
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Muhammad
Muhammad
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Allah
Allah
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Five Pillars of Islam
Five Pillars of Islam
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Jihad
Jihad
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Bailiff
Bailiff
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Castleguard
Castleguard
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Test Peasants
Test Peasants
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Serfs
Serfs
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Corvee
Corvee
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Tallage
Tallage
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Homes of Manor People
Homes of Manor People
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Diet of Manor People
Diet of Manor People
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Manor Court
Manor Court
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Earliest Castles
Earliest Castles
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Motte and Bailey Castles
Motte and Bailey Castles
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Motte and Bailey Castles with Stone
Motte and Bailey Castles with Stone
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Stone Castles
Stone Castles
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Concentric Castles
Concentric Castles
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Why were knights important in medieval society?
Why were knights important in medieval society?
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What is Chivalry?
What is Chivalry?
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What were the primary military skills of a medieval knight?
What were the primary military skills of a medieval knight?
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What was a page, in the context of medieval knighthood?
What was a page, in the context of medieval knighthood?
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What was a squire, in the context of medieval knighthood?
What was a squire, in the context of medieval knighthood?
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Describe the ceremony of knighthood.
Describe the ceremony of knighthood.
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What were jousting tournaments?
What were jousting tournaments?
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Why did medieval knights enjoy hunting?
Why did medieval knights enjoy hunting?
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What was falconry?
What was falconry?
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What was a medieval manor?
What was a medieval manor?
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What was the three-field system?
What was the three-field system?
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What was a strip of land in a medieval manor?
What was a strip of land in a medieval manor?
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What was the demesne?
What was the demesne?
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How was the medieval manor self-sufficient?
How was the medieval manor self-sufficient?
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Who were the peasants on the manor?
Who were the peasants on the manor?
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What were the Crusades?
What were the Crusades?
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Why were the Crusades unsuccessful?
Why were the Crusades unsuccessful?
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What were the positive impacts of the Crusades?
What were the positive impacts of the Crusades?
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What was the Black Death?
What was the Black Death?
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How was the Black Death spread?
How was the Black Death spread?
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How did the Black Death spread rapidly?
How did the Black Death spread rapidly?
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What were the consequences of the Black Death?
What were the consequences of the Black Death?
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How did the Black Death challenge religious beliefs?
How did the Black Death challenge religious beliefs?
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How did the Black Death impact labor?
How did the Black Death impact labor?
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What were some medieval beliefs about the Black Death?
What were some medieval beliefs about the Black Death?
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Embrasures
Embrasures
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Merlons
Merlons
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Walkway
Walkway
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Arrow Loops
Arrow Loops
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Tower Basement
Tower Basement
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Tower Rooms
Tower Rooms
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Gatehouse
Gatehouse
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Drawbridge
Drawbridge
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Portcullis
Portcullis
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Ballista
Ballista
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Catapult
Catapult
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Siege Tower
Siege Tower
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Battering Ram
Battering Ram
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Master James of St. George
Master James of St. George
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Castle Building Time
Castle Building Time
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Study Notes
Germanic Society and Culture
- Physical attributes: Blue eyes, red hair, strong physiques; lacked self-discipline and desired work;
- Economy: Women focused on farming, men on fighting, hunting, drinking, and gambling;
- Homes: Rough timber logs with mud plaster;
- Clothing: Rough animal skins and simple textiles;
- Villages: Individual homes surrounded by land, some trade in furs, soap, slaves, amber;
- Political organization: Simple tribal structure, loyalty to family and tribe; powerful leaders in times of war;
- Laws: Accused initially considered guilty; crimes were against individuals, not the state;
- Minor offenses: Proven innocent through compurgation (character witnesses);
- Major offenses: Proven innocent through ordeal (physical tests), or combat (between parties or champions); punishments varied based on social standing, paid by the accused or family, with the king receiving fees;
- Religion: Polytheistic, with gods like Woden (all-wise), Thor (thunder and war), Tiw (battle); Frigg (love goddess); belief in Valhalla (vague afterlife paradise) and material benefits for proper observance;
Early Medieval Culture: Borrowing from Romans and Germanics
- Roman Influences: Political titles, some judicial systems (within the Church), Latin literature mainly for Churchmen who also advised politically;
- Germanic Influences: Agriculture, justice systems, political organization;
- Loss of Roman Practices: Games, spectacles, trade, and manufacturing, literacy, and education primarily lost;
Feudalism
- Definition: System of landholding and personal allegiance to address survival, shelter, community, and protection; government based on land ownership with obligations from vassal (inferior) to lord (superior);
- Structure (Pyramid): God, King/Queen, Dukes/Duchesses, Lords, Vassals, Knights, Serfs/Peasants;
- Serf Obligations: Tilling lord's land, using lord's mill, fishing in lord's stream, hunting in lord's forest, worshipping in manor church, corvée (unpaid labor), mortuarium (death tax);
- Lord Obligations: Providing land, protection, court for disputes, care for orphans and widows;
- Vassal Obligations: Supplies, 40 days of military service, court attendance, loyalty (Hommage), payment for ransoms, crusades, food, lodging;
- Peasant Obligations: No military service or pyramid obligations;
- Key Terms: Fief (landholding), Fealty (loyalty oath), Hommage (ceremony);
Islam
- Geographic Context: Fertile coastline, barren desert; camel-breeding people; limited economy driven by generosity but warfare;;
- Early Religion: Polytheistic, nature-based deities (streams, hills, sacred stones);
- Muhammad's Life: Orphaned, self-educated, caravan business agent, wealthy wife; exposure to Christian and Jewish ideas; meditation; charismatic leader;
- Revelations: Angel Gabriel's appearance at 40 years, revelations of one God (Allah) and Muhammad as prophet; early disciples;
- Mecca: Religious center with idolatry; opposition to Muhammad and Islam;
- Medina: Acceptance of Muhammad and Islam; political power;
- Hijra: Migration (622 CE) to Medina; starting point of Muslim calendar; conquest of Mecca (630 CE) and the elimination of idols and establishment of faith;
- Quran: Collection of Allah's revelations, foundation of Muslim life;
- Beliefs: One God (Allah), individual responsibility, no priesthood; believers equal;
- Obligations: Five daily prayers facing Mecca; alms to the poor, fast during Ramadan, pilgrimage to Mecca;
- Prohibitions: Gambling, alcohol, pork;
- Spread of Islam: Eastward and southward expansion; Charles Martel's counter offensive (army revamp, cavalry focus, stirrups, land grants), defeat at the Battle of Tours;
- Jihad: Struggle, not necessarily holy war;
Warfare
- Medieval Noble Attitude to War: War was viewed as enjoyable and a way of life; preparation was valued.
- Difference from Modern View: Less hazardous with few lasting effects on the environment or civilization, focus on capturing and ransoming, integral part of life. -Medieval Reasons/Excuses for War: Breach of feudal contract, boundary disputes, family feuds, profit, prestige and glory, boredom;
- Armour: Full-body protective gear, often heavy and inflexible; limited flexibility.
- Weapons: Lances, swords, maces, battle axes, war hammers, military bows, crossbows; focus on craftsmanship;
- Strategy: Dismount opponent, force surrender, ransom;
Knights, Nobles, and Their Training
- Knightly Skills: Warfare, administration (justice, land, people);
- Knight Training Stages:
- Page (7-14 years): Manners, music, court etiquette, basic chivalry (church defense, women/children, courage, scorn trickery, loyalty); servant to lady of the castle;
- Squire (14-21 years): Management (manor, Church), chess/checkers; serving master (armor, meals, inspections); weapon practice; horsemanship; tilting the quintain;
- Knighthood Ceremony: Fasting/praying, bathing, confession, full battle dress, sword (Dubbing), spurs, acceptance by lord;
- Entertainment: Jousting (ceremonial, eliminative); hunting (boar, deer, bears, wolves); falconry (speed, training); indoor entertainments (chess, dice, backgammon, checkers, dancing, minstrels);
The Manor and Peasants
- Manor System: Self-sufficient farming unit almost like a village with a 3-field system (spring, autumn, fallow);
- Strips of Land: Plots of land (acre measurements, detailed farming methods), Demesne (Lord's land), Peasants receive strips of land to maintain their rights (communal agricultural structure)
- Manor Self-Sufficiency: Staple crops, pastureland, vineyards, orchards, church, water (stream, mill, blacksmith), forest (wood, pigs), legal help; economically isolated and communist aspect.
- Manor People: Lord (protection, justice, advice); steward (overseer); bailiff (manager); castleguard (soldiers);
- Free Peasants: Freemen (fixed contracts, leave manor), craftspeople, farmers, animal handlers, artisans, complete legal rights, owners of plows, oxen, and sheep, no additional taxes;
- Serfs: Intermediate status between slavery and freedom; could be sold, work 3 days/week for the lord, attend court, harvest duties, pay marriage and death taxes; corvée (work for public goods); full legal rights as serfs;
- Homes: Small, draughty, multi-purpose cottages made of wattle and daub;
- Diet and Clothing: Basic, staple foods, rough cloth/animal skins;
- Recreation: Church holidays; crude games;
- Manor Court: All adults attend; justice system based on local customs; democratic elements;
- Inventions: Horseshoe, tandem harnesses, horse collar, wheeled plow; improvement of agricultural practices;
Castles
- Evolution of Castles: Wood (easy to build, defenseless); Motte and Bailey (earthen mound, base buildings); Motte and Bailey with stone (stability concerns); Stone Castles (natural landscape utilization, towers, walls); Concentric Castles (2 outer walls)
- Castle Location Advantages: River mouths, outcrops, strategic positions;
- Castle Features: Multiple walls, inner areas (great hall, barracks, chapel, stables), towers, drawbridges, arrow loops, murder holes, gates;
- Castle Construction: Expensive, required time (8-10 years) with financing by lords/barons;
- Methods of Attacking a Castle: Surround and starve; ballistas, catapults, siege towers, battering rams, tunnels;
Town Life
- Town Formation: Surplus food, trade, safer environment, belonging;
- Town Locations: Fair sites, river/road intersections, castle proximity, suburbs
- Town Growth: Rise of middle class, merchants, guilds; monitoring quality and pricing; apprentice/journeyman worker systems;
- Town Councils: Governance;
- Noble Women: Domestic duties; violent behavior; legal subordination; exceptions (inheritance, head of family);
- Importance of Towns: Starting of Modern governments; start of the Middle Class
The Crusades
- Crusading Movement Start: Constantinople's request for help, Christian pilgrim access to Jerusalem; Europe unification; fame and wealth;
- Pope Urban II's Rallying: Speech focused on church protection, Holy Land, revenge; material incentives;
- People's Crusade: Unruly mob, losses;
- First Crusade (1096-1099): Poor organization, capture of Nicaea, Antioch, Jerusalem; brutality in Jerusalem; Crusader states established;
- Saladin: Powerful Muslim leader; army building; Jihad focus; reconquered Jerusalem; mercy;
- Third Crusade (1189-1193): Richard the Lionheart, Philip Augustus; battles (Arsuf); truce;
- Crusade Significance: Trade routes, castle improvements, new ideas, towns;
The Black Death
- Causes: Yersinia pestis bacteria carried by fleas from rats;
- Spread: Crimean port town to Europe; trade routes; assistance from famine, war, and existing disease;
- Symptoms: Pains, fever, aching joints, enlarged lymph nodes; incubation period; high mortality rates;
- Public Perception: God's punishment, end of the world, social rejection, plague pits;
- Church's Role: Authority challenged, self-flagellation;
- Death Toll: Significant portion of Europe's population (1/3);
- Results: Questioned church/authority; loss of confidence in doctors; medical dissection; labor force changes; social upheaval; bankruptcy;
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Description
Explore the intriguing aspects of Germanic society and culture, focusing on their physical attributes, economic activities, and social structures. Learn about their political organization, legal systems, and polytheistic beliefs. This quiz delves into the daily life and values of the Germanic tribes.
