Vocabulary for Medieval Studies

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Feudalism

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A social, political, and economic system in medieval Europe where lords granted land to vassals for military service.

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Manorialism

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The economic structure of the Middle Ages, where peasants worked land owned by lords in exchange for protection.

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Catholic Church

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The dominant religious institution in medieval Europe, with significant influence over both spiritual and political affairs.

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Crusades

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A series of religious wars initiated by European Christians to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control.

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Black Death (Bubonic Plague)

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A deadly pandemic that swept through Europe in the 14th century, drastically reducing the population.

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Byzantine Empire

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The eastern continuation of the Roman Empire after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, centered in Constantinople.

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Justinian’s Code

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A collection of Roman laws organized by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, which influenced later legal systems in Europe.

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Great Schism (1054)

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The split between the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East.

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Islamic Golden Age

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A period of cultural, scientific, and economic flourishing under the Abbasid Caliphate.

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Silk Road

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A network of trade routes connecting China, the Middle East, and Europe, facilitating cultural and economic exchange.