Medieval Europe Study Guide Questions

• What Germanic tribe would come to dominate much of western europe?

  Franks
• Why might the position of "Mayor of palace" have come to be the most influential within the merovingian court?

  They controlled who saw the king and took over decision making
• How might the rise of European kingdoms have been influenced by the loss of a greater roman identity after the fall of the western empire?

  They can overpower the king/Feudalism
• What frankish dynasty was established by former Meronvingian mayor of the palace charles "the hammer" martel?

  Carolingian
• Who is typically viewed as the most significant and greatest of the Frankish rulers?

  Charlemagne
• Besides multiple military victories, what were some other achievements of Charlemagnes throughout his reign as king?

  A patron of arts, built monasteries that acted as the centers of learning, cultural revival
• What significant event began a new era in European history and founded what would become known as the Holy Roman Empire?

  Charlemagnes crowning
• How did the crowning of Charlemagne elevate the power and influence of the pope for centuries to come?

  It gave the church the authority over the empire
• What happened to charlemagnes empire after he and his son louis the pious died?

  The empire was divided into three portions, charles-france, louis-germany, lother-parts of france and germany
• At the height of the Viking era , what were the vikings (northmen) main interactions with the rest of europe?


  Trade, raided communities on the european continent
• How ere vikings able to easily reach the inland cities of europe?

  They used longboats on rivers
• Explain how vikings were able to assimilate into many of the societies and regions they had raided?

  They built farms on the land
• What landmass did vikings discover centuries before any other european?

  North America
• What contributed to the end of the viking era in europe?

  increased centraliziation, William the conqueror took normandy and adopted the french language and christianity
• What is the enduring legacy of the viking era throughout europe in terms of their ability to travel as well as their eventual conversion to christianity?

  Vikings took over normandy and adopted the french language and christianity
• What norman ruler gained the english throne after the battle of hastings in 1066?

  William the conqueror
• What was the main point of contention between the orthodox and roman catholic churches in the schism of 1054?

  Authority
• What was the final result of the schism of 1054?

  Pope and patriarch excommunicated each other
• Explain the Manorial system (economic) in europe during the middle ages?

  Increased agricultural production that led to population growth, landowners established it to organize that land and the peasant who work for it
• Explain feudalism in europe during the middle ages?

  peasants became workers who were bound to the land
• What was the major agreement between lord and vassal in the feudal system?

  Knights became lords vassal, who gave justice, and pledged loyalty to the land in exchange for land, feudal contract
• What were some of the new farming techniques that increased crop yields, which in turn led to increased population, that further led to the commercial revolution?

  Crop rotation, plows with wheels, improved cultivation, increased grain production
• What were some of the characteristics of the commercial revolution and how did it change european life?

  Rise of the middle class, guilds were created to help businesses flourish, banks emerged because businesses needed a safe place to save money
• How did the addition of the merchant class affect european societal/social structure?

  Middle Class
• The commercial revolution began a shift to what kind of economy ?

  Economy based on trade
• Where was education typically provided in medieval times?

  Churches
• What were the two types of schools in the middle ages and what were the differences between both?

  Cathedral schools and monastic schools. Cathedral schools were attached to cathedrals and focused on liberal arts education, while monastic schools were attached to monasteries and focused on religious education and training monks.
• Explain the philosophy called scholasticism?

  A philosophy that arose by scholars trying to merge natural science and church teachings
• Why might monasteries have been the first european institutions to provide education?

  They knew how to read and write
• Although magna carta was not a constitution, what did it establish and provide both in its own time and for the future?

  A strong monarchy in england, saw the use of land to resolve disputes
• Why were the beliefs of the roman catholic church so widespread during the middle ages and what was the churches response to this issue?

  Excommunications, created individual churches
• What were the differences between the secular and regular clergy in the middle ages?

  Secular Clergy:Did not live in a monastery and worked as a priest or taught in catholic schools Regular Clergy:lived in a monastery and followed the benedictine rule, had to follow strict rules: simple clothing, remain unmarried, and pray and work daily
• What kind of monastic order did francis of assisi found, what was it based on?

  Franciscan order, based on poverty and simplicity.
• In general what were the crusades?

  a christian military expedition to invade and conquer palestine
• How did pope urban the seconds speech work to convince european christians to try and take back the holy land?

  Whatever the pope says, christians will follow his orders
• Overall, were the crusades successful in their intended mission to save the byzantines and take back control of the holy land?

  Mixed, only the third crusade was successful in gaining control of Jerusalem, treaty was negotiated between christians and muslims
• Who were the main group of people that were the target of various "crusades" with europe and why?

  Muslims; religious and territorial reasons.
• What was the spanish reconquista?

  Military campaigns that christian kingdoms created to go against muslim states
• What were the inquisitions and what were their purpose?

  Judicial procedure:A special court for hearing religious cases , used strategies to identify heretics
• What were the lasting legacies of the crusades outside of their failures to complete their intended goals?

  Solidified hostilities between muslims and christians, brought european inputs, increased trade with the eastern mediterranean region