Pax Romana and Feudalism Overview

A period of Roman history lasting 200 years, known for peace, prosperity, and expansion. It was marked by an increased and sustained Roman imperialism, leading to a stable and powerful empire.

A system of social and political organization in the Middle Ages based on rights and responsibilities. The monarch holds the greatest power, granting land to nobles, who in turn grant land to knights in exchange for service.

A wealthy landowner who grants a fief (land) to a vassal in exchange for military service.

A piece of land granted to a person, often in exchange for service. It was a source of income and usually consisted of land and peasants who worked on it.

Someone who receives land by feudal tenure, promising loyalty and military service to the lord.

The belief that the monarch’s power comes directly from God. It was used to justify the power of kings in the Middle Ages.

A term used to describe the inhabitants of England during the early Middle Ages (6th - 11th centuries) before the Norman Conquest.

The council of advisors to the Anglo-Saxon king. Their main role was to advise the king on matters related to the kingdom, such as land, taxes, defense, and foreign policy.

Local assemblies held in each county or shire of England to discuss local issues and hear legal cases.

The King’s council, established by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest. This group served as a permanent body of advisors to the king.

A government ruled by a king or queen with limited power, guided by fundamental principles in a constitution.

The right to life, liberty, and property, believed to be inherent and inalienable for all individuals.

This principle states that individuals consent to be governed in exchange for order and protection.

The power to create and enforce laws, usually held by a legislature.

The power to implement and carry out laws made by the legislative branch.

The power to interpret laws and ensure they are applied fairly, usually held by courts.

French word for philosopher, used to describe intellectuals who applied reason to social issues.

A period in English history characterized by the establishment of parliamentary supremacy and limits on the monarch's power.

The right to express opinions and ideas without fear of punishment, especially in Parliament.

The right to petition the king with grievances without fear of reprisal.

Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was the King of the Franks who unified most of Western Europe in the 8th century. He is considered one of the most influential figures in European history. He significantly restored order and promoted a revival of learning and culture, known as the Carolingian Renaissance.

The Carolingian Renaissance was a period of cultural and educational revival in Europe during the reign of Charlemagne. It saw the flourishing of art, literature, architecture, and education. Charlemagne promoted learning by establishing schools for nobles and encouraging the copying of ancient manuscripts.

Feudalism was a social and political system prevalent in medieval Europe, where rights and responsibilities were based on land ownership and military service. It was characterized by a hierarchical structure with the king at the apex, nobles holding fiefs, and peasants tied to the land.

In feudalism, the monarch, holding the ultimate power, owned all the land and made laws. Nobles received fiefs from the monarch in exchange for military and political service. Knights, receiving fiefs from nobles, provided military support. Peasants worked the land owned by the lord, receiving protection in return.

Medieval society was broadly divided into three classes: those who fought, those who prayed, and those who worked. The class of those who fought included nobles, knights, and soldiers, responsible for defending the realm.

The class of those who prayed consisted of bishops, priests, monks, and nuns. They were responsible for spiritual guidance and religious services.

The third class, those who worked, encompassed peasants who worked the land, providing food and resources for the other classes. They were essential for the functioning of society.

Fief was a piece of land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for military service or other forms of loyalty. It was a source of income for the vassal and usually included peasants who worked on the land.

A vassal was a person who held land granted by a lord, called a fief, in exchange for military service, loyalty, and other obligations. The relationship between lord and vassal was crucial to the functioning of feudal society.

The belief that the monarch’s power comes directly from God, not from the consent of the people. This belief justified the absolute authority of the king and made it difficult to challenge his power.

The Battle of Hastings was a decisive battle that took place in 1066. It resulted in the Norman conquest of England, marking a significant shift in English history.

King John of England was forced to sign the Magna Carta in 1215 after facing pressure from nobles who sought to restrict his power and ensure their rights. It was a landmark document that limited the power of the monarchy and established the principle of rule of law.

Itinerant justices were judges appointed by the king to travel throughout England and settle legal disputes, ensure justice was available to all, and oversee the collection of taxes.

The English Civil War was a conflict that arose from disputes over power and authority between the monarchy and Parliament. It pitted King Charles I against Parliament, leading to a period of great upheaval and change.

The Petition of Right, signed in 1628, affirmed certain rights for English citizens: freedom from arbitrary imprisonment, freedom from taxes without Parliament’s consent, and the right to petition the king.

The Habeas Corpus Act, passed in 1679, required that anyone detained must be brought before a judge and charged with a crime. This act is a significant step towards protecting individual liberties.

Henry II was king of England during the 12th century He expanded English power into Ireland and France. Henry was known for his expansionism and for building a strong and centralized state.

William the Conqueror, after winning the Battle of Hastings, became the first Norman king of England. His rule marked a significant shift in English history, introducing Norman institutions and culture.

King Charles I was the English monarch during the English Civil War. His attempts to rule with absolute power, ignoring Parliament, led to the conflict.

King James I was king of England from 1603 to 1625. Unlike his predecessors, he believed in 'divine right' and ruled without a strict adherence to Parliament’s power.

A Latin term meaning "to have the body." It refers to a legal writ that requires a person to be brought before a court to determine the legality of their detention.

A major turning point in English history, known for the overthrow of King James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. It led to major shifts in power from the monarch to Parliament.

A document signed by William and Mary in 1689 following the Glorious Revolution. It guarantees various individual rights like freedom of speech in Parliament and the right to petition the king.

An English philosopher known for his social contract theory, arguing that individuals consent to be governed in exchange for order and protection.

A philosopher who advocated for natural rights - life, liberty, and property - which he believed were inherent and inalienable for all individuals.

A French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, and historian who advocated for freedom of speech, religious tolerance, and separation of powers.

A Genevan philosopher who emphasized the social contract and the idea that government should be based upon the consent of the governed.

A French Enlightenment thinker who proposed the separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent tyranny.

An Italian jurist and philosopher who advocated for the abolition of torture and capital punishment, and for a more humane criminal justice system.

An English writer and philosopher who advocated for women's rights and education, arguing that women should have equal opportunities as men.

A concept that emphasizes the importance of reason and logical thinking to discover truth.

The belief that what is natural is also good and reasonable. This principle guided many of their views on government and society.

The pursuit of happiness on Earth as a fundamental goal instead of focusing solely on the afterlife. This challenged the traditional emphasis on religious devotion in medieval society.

The belief that society and humans are capable of ongoing improvement through reason, education, and reform.

The demand for individual liberties similar to those obtained by the English during the Glorious Revolution, arguing for freedom from oppressive regimes.

A political theory that suggests individuals consent to be governed in exchange for protection and order. It emphasizes the importance of a social contract in establishing a just government.

The separation of governmental powers into distinct branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—with each branch having its own responsibilities and checks on the others.