Any of the Scandinavian seafaring pirates and traders who raided and settled in many parts of northwestern Europe in the 8th-11th centuries.

A plot of land given to a vassal by a lord.

The dominant social system in medieval Europe, in which the nobility held lands from the Crown in exchange for military service, and vassals were in turn servants of the nobles, while the serfs were obliged to live on their lord's land and give him taxes, labor, and a share of crops in exchange for military protection.

An agricultural laborer bound under the feudal system to work on his lord's estate.

A holder of land in the feudal system on the conditions of taxation, contributing crops, and allegiance/Military Service.

A medieval association of craftsmen or merchants, often having considerable power.

A document signed by King John of England in 1215 under threat by the nobles, it gave certain rights to “free men” and held that common law was to be respected by all including the king.

A person who is trained by a master craftsman to learn an occupation

A series of religious wars initiated, supported, and sometimes directed by the Roman Catholic Church in the medieval period.

The name for the eastern Roman Empire, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia; it lasted from about 500 to 1453 C.E.

The city on the eastern edge of Europe, which Constantine made the capital of the Roman Empire in 330 C.E.

Roman emperor from about 280 to 337 C.E.; the first Roman emperor to become a Christian; move the capital of the Roman Empire to the east.

An image or picture made up of small pieces of glass, tile, or colorful stones.

The separation of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church (1054 CE)