Medieval Weapons and Knights

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Questions and Answers

What is the nickname for a poleax, a battle weapon used by knights?

Knights' Shield

Armor Piercer

Medieval Can Opener (correct)

Medieval Sword

Which of the following parts of a poleax is specifically designed to penetrate plate armor?

Spear Tip

Dague (correct)

Ax Blade

Hammer

How could a knight earn money by interacting with other knights?

Renting land

Hosting tournaments

Kidnapping them for ransom (correct)

Selling arms and armor

What is the origin of the term 'dungeons', which refers to imprisonment areas in castles?

French word meaning 'keep' Signup and view all the answers

What was one method of trial by ordeal that involved walking three steps with a hot iron?

Ordeal by Fire Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome for an accused person if they floated during the Ordeal by Water?

Deemed guilty Signup and view all the answers

What type of group were craft guilds in medieval times?

Associations of craftsmen Signup and view all the answers

What was the misconception about narwhal horns sold by Vikings?

They were real unicorn horns Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary role of an Apprentice in the guild system?

To undergo training with a master in exchange for free labor Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a Journeyman from an Apprentice?

A Journeyman has mastered the craft and earns a wage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a Master in the guild system?

An accomplished craftsman who meets quality standards of the guild Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of guilds during the medieval period?

They provided protection and government supervision for members Signup and view all the answers

What was a common criticism of guilds during their peak?

They enforced low wages which kept journeymen dependent Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a fact about the medieval guild system?

Women could join and form their own guilds Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'masterpiece' refer to in the context of journeyman training?

A crafted item that must be produced for guild approval Signup and view all the answers

What was the definition of Medieval Torture as mentioned?

A systematic infliction of suffering to obtain information or confessions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Poleax

A poleax is a medieval battle weapon used by knights.
Parts of a poleax include a hammer, a dague, and an ax blade.
The hammer was used to deliver a blow to an opponent's helmet.
The dague was used to penetrate plate armor.
The ax blade was used to strike in areas not covered by plate armor.

Knights and Earning Money

Knights could earn money by renting land to peasants.
Knights could also earn money by participating in tournaments.
Kidnapping other knights and holding them for ransom was another way knights made money.

Dungeons

Dungeons originated from the French word "donjon," meaning "keep."
Dungeons were first used in English in the 14th century.
They were used as a point of retreat for defenders if intruders breached the castle walls.
Knights who kidnapped others used dungeons to hold their captives.
Dungeons were typically small and cramped.

Trial by Ordeal

Trial by ordeal was a method used to determine whether someone was guilty or innocent of a crime.
It involved forcing the accused to perform a painful task.
A successful completion of the task, or a rapid healing process was seen as divine intervention.
There are three types of trials by ordeal.

Ordeal by Fire

The accused person would hold a red-hot iron bar and walk three steps.
Their hand would be bandaged and left to heal for three days.
If the wound healed, the person was deemed innocent.
If the wound did not heal the person was deemed guilty.

Ordeal by Water

The accused would be tied up and thrown into a body of water.
If they sank, they were considered innocent.
If they floated, they were considered guilty, and would be executed.

Ordeal by Combat

This ordeal involved the accused and the accuser fighting in combat.
It was typically used by nobles.
The winner was considered "right" or the "correct" one.

Narwhal Horns

Vikings sold narwhal tusks as "unicorn horns."
These horns were harvested in the Baltic Sea and traded in Western Europe.
The "unicorn horns" were thought to have magical healing properties.

Craft Guilds

Craft guilds were associations of craftsmen who practiced a particular trade.
Apprentices, journeymen, and masters were the different stages of a craft guild.
Apprentices were boys in their teens who trained with a master for seven years.
They offered free labor in exchange for learning the craft, food, and shelter.
Journeymen were former apprentices who had mastered their craft.
They continued to work for the master, earning wages.
Masters were experienced craftspeople who had proven their skills.
They met the quality standards of the guild.
All masters had to open a shop, train apprentices and prove their skills.

Merchant Guilds

Merchant guilds were associations of merchants in a town or city.

Medieval Guilds

Powerful guilds had their own halls in town for holding court.
Women were allowed to learn crafts and skills, but they were not allowed to join or form their own guilds.
The word "guild" comes from the words "tribute" and "payment."
Members paid membership fees to the guild.
Journeymen had to produce a "masterpiece" to be approved by the guild masters.
There were about 100 guilds in any major city.

Pros of Guilds

Guilds contributed to government supervision and protection of their members.
Guilds supported a stable economic base.
Guilds supported charities.
Guilds protected wages.
Guilds protected their members from excessive taxes.
Guilds helped with funeral expenses for deceased members.

Cons of Guilds

Guilds became too powerful, leading to corruption.
During apprenticeships, the skill was often inherited, not earned.
Masters set standards so high that journeymen were forced to work for low wages.
Guild became aristocratic organizations that dominated the government.
They forgot about their members.
Guilds were slow to embrace change and technology, fearing it would threaten their members interests.

Medieval Torture

Medieval torture was the deliberate, systematic, and cruel infliction of physical or mental suffering.
It was used to force people to surrender information, confess to a crime, or to punish.
Medieval torture was important as a way of demonstrating the power of the church.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of medieval weaponry and the life of knights. This quiz covers various aspects of knights, including the poleax as a weapon, their methods of earning money, and the origins of dungeons. Test your knowledge on these historical topics now!