Middle Ages Mastery

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Questions and Answers

What was the code of honour that every knight swore to uphold known as?

Chivalry

What were the qualities of the model knight according to the code of chivalry?

Brave, generous, and truthful

What were knights supposed to protect according to the code of chivalry?

Women and children, and to strengthen the Church

What was a common pastime for knights that was also a way of practising for battle?

Jousting and hunting Signup and view all the answers

What were the two main military activities in the Middle Ages?

Pitched battles fought at a chosen location and time, and sieges against castles or towns Signup and view all the answers

What determined the weapons used by fighters in the Middle Ages?

Their social class (for example, only knights could afford armour and horses) Signup and view all the answers

What new weapons reduced the importance of both knights and fortified places over time?

Longbow and cannons Signup and view all the answers

What laws had to be passed because mistreatment of serfs by knights was so common?

Laws forbidding assaults on peasants Signup and view all the answers

What was the main focus of medieval knights' common pastimes, such as jousting and hunting?

Practising for battle and perfecting their physical abilities Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of perfecting their physical abilities for knights in the Middle Ages?

Increased chances of staying alive on the battlefield and increased value to their lord, maintaining high social status and lands Signup and view all the answers

What technological advancements led to the improvement of swords in the Middle Ages?

Improved metalworking technology Signup and view all the answers

What advantage did the longbow have over the crossbow in battles?

It could be fired quickly, causing devastation Signup and view all the answers

How much could armor weigh in the late Middle Ages, and what was the trade-off for this protection?

Up to 20 kilograms; it offered protection but hindered mobility Signup and view all the answers

Who inspired the Geneva Conventions, and what event led to its inspiration?

Henry Dunant; Battle of Solferino Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial cause of the Hundred Years' War, and how did it evolve?

Dispute over the French monarchy; evolved into a fight over territory Signup and view all the answers

Who rallied the French against the English during the Hundred Years' War, and what was her fate?

Joan of Arc; captured, tried for heresy, and burned at the stake Signup and view all the answers

What role did English longbow archers play in the war, and what contributed to their effectiveness?

Crucial role; powerful longbows and skilled use Signup and view all the answers

What advantage did the French gain over the longbow in battles, and how did they achieve it?

More effective artillery; including lighter cannons and iron cannonballs Signup and view all the answers

What were the outcomes for Northern France and England at the end of the Hundred Years' War?

Northern France lay in ruins; England retained only the port city of Calais Signup and view all the answers

What were the societal and strategic changes that resulted from the Hundred Years' War?

English turning attention to the Americas; French gaining victories with new artillery Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the Hundred Years' War have on French society?

The war created a growing sense of national feeling in France and allowed French kings to expand their power. The longbow and cannon gave commoners more importance on the battlefield and undermined the social status of the feudal lords and knights. Feudalism was on its way out, as monarchs would need large armies, not feudal vassals, to fight their wars. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Black Death spread and what were its symptoms?

The Black Death was believed to be a variety of bubonic plague spread from person to person by fleas. The diseased person quickly developed buboes (swollen lymph glands) and was covered with dark blotches on the skin. A high fever and vomiting would follow. Most victims died within one to three days. Signup and view all the answers

What were the social implications of the Black Death?

The Black Death killed 30 to 60 percent of the population of Europe and changed Europe forever. Labour was in such short supply that workers could travel from manor to manor and ask for higher wages. Serfs also began to leave the manors, causing many feudal estates to go bankrupt. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Black Death bring out the best and worst in people?

Many priests, nuns, and doctors died because they spent so much time tending the sick. But some families abandoned their sick relatives, and thieves robbed corpses or broke into houses where everyone had died. Groups of religious fanatics called flagellants travelled from town to town spreading the idea that the plague was a punishment from God. Signup and view all the answers

What were the beliefs about the cause of the Black Death?

There was no cure for the Black Death, and people could only speculate at the cause. Some, like the flagellants, believed it was God's punishment. Others blamed earthquakes or the stars. Specific groups of people were also singled out for blame, such as Jews who were accused of spreading the plague. Signup and view all the answers

What were the effects of the Black Death on the feudal system?

The Black Death damaged the feudal system as labour shortages and rising wages caused many feudal estates to go bankrupt. Workers could travel from manor to manor and ask for higher wages, and serfs began to leave the manors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a pandemic and how does it affect society?

A pandemic is a widespread, fast-moving infectious disease that affects people across continents. Pandemics can cause high mortality rates, disrupt economies, and strain healthcare systems. They can also lead to social unrest and fear. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Black Death compare to more recent pandemics like SARS and swine flu?

The Black Death killed 30 to 60 percent of the population of Europe, while more recent pandemics like SARS and swine flu had lower mortality rates. However, all these pandemics caused widespread fear, disruptions to daily life, and efforts to control the spread of the diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What measures were taken to control the spread of SARS in Toronto, Ontario?

During the SARS outbreak in Toronto, Ontario, measures such as travel bans, isolation of people who had come in contact with SARS, cancellation of large gatherings, and promotion of hand hygiene and mask-wearing were implemented to control the spread of the disease. Signup and view all the answers

What were the economic consequences of the Black Death?

The Black Death caused labour shortages and rising wages, leading to many feudal estates going bankrupt. This had significant economic implications, as the growth of towns and trade had already weakened the feudal system, and the Black Death further damaged this system. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Middle Ages: Technology, Warfare, and Joan of Arc

Swords in the Middle Ages became longer, stronger, and lighter due to improved metalworking technology.
The crossbow was powerful but slow to load, while the longbow could be fired quickly, causing devastation in battles.
Armor in the late Middle Ages could weigh up to 20 kilograms, offering protection but hindering mobility.
The Geneva Conventions, inspired by Henry Dunant's actions in the Battle of Solferino, set rules for wartime behavior and care for the wounded.
The Hundred Years' War, lasting from 1337 to 1453, saw frequent truces and evolved from a dispute over the French monarchy to a fight over territory.
Joan of Arc, a young peasant woman, rallied the French against the English during the Hundred Years' War, but was captured, tried for heresy, and burned at the stake.
English longbow archers played a crucial role in the war, as their powerful longbows and skilled use caused significant losses for the French.
The French developed more effective artillery, including lighter cannons and iron cannonballs, giving them an advantage over the longbow in battles.
At the war's end in 1453, Northern France lay in ruins, and England retained only the port city of Calais.
The war led to changes in society, with the English turning their attention to the Americas and the French gaining victories with new artillery.
A truce is a period during which warring parties agree to stop fighting, while a dauphin is the eldest son of the French king.
Ecclesiastical refers to religious matters.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the Middle Ages with this quiz on technology, warfare, and the inspiring tale of Joan of Arc. From advancements in weaponry to key historical events, challenge yourself with questions about this fascinating period in history.