| A | B |
|---|
| feudalism | medieval political system in which monarchs and lesser nobles made alliances based on exchanging land grants for loyalty |
| Middle Ages | time period from 750-1250 |
| Dark Ages | time period from the Fall of Rome to about 750 decline in learning and culture |
| chivalry | code of conduct for medieval knights based on honor and courtesy |
| excommunication | formal exclusion from the church |
| serf | peasant laborer permanently bound to the land |
| vassals | one who holds land from and served a higher ranking lord |
| heresy/heretic | disagreement with basic teachings of religion |
| manorialism | economic system linking nobles and peasants on thier land |
| fief | an estate granted to a noble in exchange for loyalty and military service |
| Tithe | 10 % gift to the church paid by most people |
| Crusade | Holy war to free the holy land |
| Cultural Diffusion | spread of culture from one area to another. |
