Medieval Europe Study Guide

Study Guide to Chapters 2-5

In general, having class notes complete is your best preparation for the history test. In addition, you should master the Key Academic Vocabulary for social studies. Finally, to hone your analytical thinking skills, think about the Essential Questions for this topic in history.

Click here for the Fundamental Social Studies Vocabulary for the year.

Chapter	Essential Vocabulary	Essential Questions
2	feudalism lord knight vassal noble peasant serf Clovis Charlemagne Christianity Pope Vikings monarch fief manor divine right of kings defense moat hierarchy chivalry William of Normandy Norman Invasion	The Development of Feudalism What challenges did people face after the collapse of the Roman Empire? How did feudalism help solve these challenges? How did Clovis and Charlemagne help spread Christianity? Define feudalism. What social classes functioned within feudalism? How did kings justify their power? How did William of Normandy influence English feudalism? top of page
3	Roman Catholic Church Jesus monastery clergy excommunicate Pope Gregory VII Emperor Henry IV sacrament monk nun pilgrimage Crusades Gothic cathedral university Thomas Aquinas natural law holidays religious orders manuscript	The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe How did Christianity begin? How did Christianity spread during and after the fall of the Roman Empire? How was the Roman Catholic Church organized? What contributed to the increasing power of the church? How did the conflict between Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV reflect the increasing authority of the church? How did religious beliefs affect daily life in Europe? What did Thomas Aquinas say about reason and faith? Describe the work of monks and nuns. top of page
4	social economic political charter guild apprentice journeyman master commerce merchant specialization town council Jews leprosy bubonic plague common law judiciary court inquiry minstrel mystery play miracle play	Life in Medieval Towns How and where did medieval towns develop? Why did towns grow during the later Middle Ages? Describe the role of guilds in trade, production, and government. How were Jews treated in medieval towns? What problems did medieval towns face? How did court inquiries and common law change the punishments for crimes? top of page
5	political King Henry II King John Magna Carta King Edward I habeas corpus Model Parliament commoner democratic Hundred Years' War technology crossbow longbow Joan of Arc heretic	The Decline of Feudalism What political developments in the 12th and 13th centuries weakened feudalism? In what way did the Magna Carta contribute to the development of democracy? How did the bubonic plague reach Europe? How did the bubonic plague shift the balance of power? How did the Hundred Years' War weaken feudalism? How did Joan of Arc influence the new feeling of nationalism? top of page

Medieval Europe Page