| A | B |
|---|
| Babylonian Captivity | The period between 1305 and 1378 when the papal court resided in Avignon. This represented the influence of French monarchs on the papacy. |
| Battle of Agincourt | During the Hundred Years' War, Henry V defeated a large French Army, where the ratio was 1 to 4 on the battlefield. |
| Battle of Crecy | During the Hundred Years' War, where English longbows gave the English the advantage over French crossbows. |
| Calais | A major port on the French coast of the English Channel. After the Hunder Years' War, this was all that the English controlled on the Continent. |
| The House of Commons | The English parliamentary body comprised of elected representatives of the lesser nobility and townsmen. |
| Cortes | The representational assemblies of Portugal and Spain composed of aristocracy, the Church and the common people. |
| dauphin | The French term given to the heir apparent to the throne. |
| Estates General | The national representative body in France, made up of nobility, clergy and the working class. Met irregularly until 1614. Reconvened in 1789. |
| Ferdinand V | 1452-1516 - "The Catholic of Aragon" Married cousin Isabella, and together they expanded the Spanish kingdom. |
| The Great Ordinance | The decree imposed by the Estates General in 1357. Granted major financial and judicial powers to the Estates General and instituted a constitutional government. Revoked in 1358. |
| Great Schism | The period between 1378 and 1417 during which there were multiple claimants to the papal office. |
| Henry V | 1387-1422 -- A brilliant soldier and popular commander, won numerous victories during the Hundred Years' War. Married Catherine of Valois, France, due to treaty. |
| Henry VII | 1457-1509 -- Established the Tudor dynasty. From the House of Lancaster, married Elizabeth of York, thus ending the War of the Roses. |
| Prince Henry of Portugal | 1394-1460 -- "The Navigator" Noted for his interest in navigation, shipbuilding and exploration. Established an observatory and a school for navigation at Sagres. |
| House of Lords | The English parliamentary body composed of the major nobles of the kingdom. During the Middle Ages, the House of Lords controlled Parliament. |
| Hundred Years' War | 1337-1453 A war fought on French soil between England and France. Started because of English claim on French throne. |
| Iberian Peninsula | The European peninsula that comprises Portugal and Spain. |
| Isabella I | 1451-1504 "The Catholic of Castile and Leon" Succeeded to the Castilian throne. Married Ferdinand in 1479. Initiated the Spanish Inquisition. |
| Jacquerie | Frustrated by plague, famine and mercenaries, the peasants of northern France rebelled in 1358. |
| Joan of Arc | 1412-1431 -- Patron saint of France. A peasant girl who rallied the French forces against the English. Dauphin Charles made it to Reims to be crowned king because of her efforts. |
| Knights Templar | A religious and military order founded during the Crusades in the early 12th century. Developed an efficient banking system that allowed them to amass great wealth. |
| Moors | The term used to identify the Moslems who invaded the Iberian Peninsula in 8th century, and occupied until 15th century. |
| New Monarchies | The three western European monarchies that moved towards centralized government and greater control by the king during 14-15th centuries. |
| Parliament | The English legislative body of state composed of the monarchs, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. |
| Prelates | Ecclesiastical or Church lords, including archbishops and bishops. |
| "Reconquista" | The medieval Christian conquest of the Iberian peninsula from Moslem forces. |
| Spanish Inquisition | Began 1478 to enforce religious conformity in Spain. Led to the execution of thousands accused of heresy. Had major impact on the religious, political and cultural development of Spain and colonies until 19th century. |
| Treaty of Tordesillas | Signed in 1494 between Spain and Portugal. A line was drawn 1770 km west of Cape Verde Islands -- Spain claimed west of line, Portugal claimed east of line.belonged to Spain. |
| War of the Roses | A series of civil wars in England fought between the rival houses of Lancaster and York from 1455-1485. |
