The Rise of Europe 500-1300

A someone who is in training for a profession. Apprentice. In history, an apprentice is a person who learns a trade from a skilled employer, often for a set number of years, to gain experience and skills.

An important victory of the Frankish and Burgundian forces over the raiding parties of the Umayyad Caliphate. The Battle of Tours was a significant clash in 732 AD where Frankish leader Charles Martel halted the northward expansion of Islamic forces into Europe.

A book of precepts written for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot. Benedictine Rule. It is a set of guidelines created by St. Benedict in the 6th century to organize life in monasteries.

A set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority. Canon law. In simple terms, canon law is the set of rules and guidelines used by the Church to govern its members and operations throughout history.

An asset that can enhance one's power to perform economically useful work. Capital. In history, capital refers to resources like money and tools used to produce goods and services.

The King of the Franks and the Lombards, and Emperor of the Romans. Charlemagne. He was a medieval ruler who united much of Europe and laid the foundations for modern European nations.

A Frankish statesman and military leader who was the de facto ruler of Francia. Charles Martel. He is best known for halting the Muslim advance into Western Europe at the Battle of Tours in 732.

The grant of authority or rights. Charter. In history, a charter is a document that outlines the rights and privileges granted by a ruler or government to a group or organization.

A varying code of conduct associated with the Christian institution of knighthood. Chivalry. Chivalry was a medieval system of values and ethics that guided knights in their duties to God, their lord, and others, emphasizing honor, bravery, and courtesy.

The first king of the Franks that united all of the Frankish tribes. Clovis. Clovis was a Frankish king who unified various tribes and helped lay the foundation for modern France.

A religious act used to take off or suspend membership in a religious community. Excommunication. In history, excommunication was a way for religious leaders to officially exclude someone from participating in church activities and the community.

Granted serfs to live on and work a piece of land held by his Lord. feudal contract. A feudal contract was an agreement in medieval times where land and protection were exchanged for loyalty and service between a lord and their vassals.

A system of holding of land in exchange for service or labor. Feudalism. Feudalism was a medieval system where nobles gave land to vassals in return for military service and loyalty.

A property or right that an overlord gave a vassal in exchange for military service. fief. In medieval times, a fief was land given by a lord to a vassal in return for loyalty and service.

One of several west Germanic federations of tribes. Franks. The Franks were a group of Germanic tribes that eventually united to form a powerful kingdom in Western Europe, influencing the region during the early Middle Ages.

An association of craftspeople or merchants who control the practice of their craft in a town. Guild. In history, a guild was a group that helped craftspeople or merchants protect their trade and set standards in a town.

An ecclesiastical penalty which bans a person or group of people from receiving the sacraments. Interdict. In history, an interdict is a church punishment that stops people from participating in most religious ceremonies.

A worker who has completed an apprenticeship qualification. journeyman. In history, a journeyman is a skilled worker who, after finishing an apprenticeship, traveled to work for various masters to gain experience before becoming a master themselves.

A professional heavy cavalry soldier in the Middle Ages. knight. A knight was a warrior from medieval times, often serving a lord, and recognized for their combat skills and chivalry.

A fundamental political units of Hungarians until invasion of the Carpathian Basin. Magyar tribes. The Magyar tribes were groups of Hungarian nomadic warriors who migrated into Central Europe around the 9th century.

An estate in land which includes the right to hold a manorial court. manor. A manor was a unit of land in medieval Europe, typically consisting of a lord's house and lands rented to tenants.

A period that lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. Medieval. The medieval period, also known as the Middle Ages, was a time in Europe characterized by castles, knights, and the spread of Christianity.

A class of people in the middle of a social hierarchy middle class. Historically, the middle class is a group of people between the rich and the poor, often including professionals, business people, and skilled workers.

The Pope has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church. Papal supremacy. In history, papal supremacy refers to the belief that the Pope has ultimate authority over all matters in the Church.

When two or more people work together to complete a task. Partnership. In History, partnership is when explorers like Lewis and Clark teamed up to successfully explore and map the American West.

A Christian rite recognized as of particular importance and significance sacrament. In history, a sacrament is a religious ceremony or ritual believed to impart divine grace, such as baptism or communion in Christianity.

A state of being separate from religion. Secular. In history, secular refers to the separation of government and religious institutions to ensure neutrality in public affairs.

A worker who has to stay in a lord's area. Serf. A serf was a laborer in medieval Europe who was tied to a lord's land and had to work for the lord in exchange for protection and a place to live.

An Italian friar and founder of the Franciscan Order. St Francis of Assisi. He was a religious leader known for his commitment to poverty and nature.

One who resides on land owned by a landlord. Tenant farmer. In history, tenant farmers are individuals who farm land that they rent from a landowner, often giving a portion of the crops as payment.

A chivalrous competition or mock fight in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Tournament. A tournament was an event where knights engaged in contests of skill and bravery for glory and entertainment.

A composer and performer of poetry during the High Middle Ages. Troubadour. Troubadours were medieval poets and musicians who wrote and performed songs about chivalry and courtly love in southern France.

A person regarded as having a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch. Vassal. In history, a vassal was someone who received land and protection from a lord in exchange for loyalty and service.

A Scandinavian people from Northern Europe, known as great seamen and warriors. Vikings. Vikings were Norse explorers and raiders who traveled and traded across Europe during the early Middle Ages.