| A | B |
|---|
| vassal | A noble who GETS land from the lord in return for military service. |
| lord | A wealthy land owner who gives land to a vassal in exchange for military service |
| political | Having to do with government |
| economic | having to do witht he way people exchange goods |
| self-sufficient | able to supply ones own needs |
| hiererchy | A pyramid shaped power structure. |
| freeman | A peasant who is free |
| serf | A peasant who was considered property (similar to a slave) |
| fief | a piece of land given by a lord to a vassal |
| manor | an estate/fief built up by the lord |
| barter | to exchange goods without the use of money (trading) |
| castle | a stone structure that was a stronghold during war, a home for the lord and his family, and a center of all activity on the manor |
| feudalism | A political and economic system from the ninth century based on the relationship between the lord and the vassal |
| portculis | the main gate of a castle |
| parapet | the low wall of a castle used for soilders to stand on |
| keep | the tower where the family lived |
| moat | a ditch around the castle |
| ventilation slit | useed to circulate air within the castle |
| hierarchy | A pyramid-shaped power structure |
| chivalry | an honor code sworn by all knights |
| The Middle Ages | Began between 400 and 500 and ended between 1400 and 1500. |
