| A | B |
|---|
| Middle Ages | Period in western European history from the fall of Rome to the 15th century. |
| Charlemagne | Charles the Great; Carloginian monarch who established a substantial empire in France and Germany. |
| Holy Roman Emperors | Emperors in northern Italy and Germany following the split of Charlemagne's empire |
| Magna Carta | "Great Charter"; issued by King John of England and limited the monarch's power. |
| Hundred Years War | Conflict between England and France from 1337 to 1453. |
| scholasticism | Medieval philosophical approach; based on the use of logic to solve theological problems. |
| Gothic | An architectural style developed during the Middle Ages; featured pointed arches and flying buttresses |
| Hanseatic League | An organization of cities in northern Germany and southern Scandinavia to establish a commercial alliance. |
| guilds | Sworn associations of people in the same business or craft in a single city. |
| three field system | System of agricultural cultivation; included one-third in spring grains, one-third fallow. |
| feudalism | Political system of local government based on the granting of land in return for loyalty, military assistance, and other services. |
| Compurgation | People swore the accuser/accused was telling the truth. |
| Trial by Ordeal | Accused underwent various "ordeals" |
| Manor System | Economic system during the Middle Ages that revolved around self-sufficient farming estates where lords and peasants shared the land. |
| moldboard | plow |
| Parliament | Advised the king; divided into 2 houses - House of Lords and House of Commons |
| Common Law | "living Law" - decisions made by the royal courts were collected and used as the basis for future verdicts. |
| Crusades | Caused when Muslim people from Central Asia gained control of Palestine ("Holy Land") |
| Banca | "Money changers bench"; original function of banks |
| Romanesque Architecture | Rounded arches and barrel vaulted ceilings. |
| Black Death | Caused by flea bites; significantly reduced Europe's population |
