Module 2: Medieval Europe and Japan – Flashcards
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why were the Middle Ages once called the Dark Ages?
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we have a limited record of what occurred then
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manorialism
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where a peasant is entirely dependent on the land and his lord. This happened as a result of deurbanization
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social hierarchy in feudal system
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King: monarch who inherited full control of the land in his kingdom Nobles: granted land by king. Paid taxes and provided knights for the king. Knights: trained warrior class who served king's army. Peasants: work hard/controlled by lords. Gave 10% of supplies/food to Church
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how could a woman improve her social status?
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marry into a higher class or become a nun
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how could a man improve his social status?
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he could inherit as the firstborn, become an apprentice, or join the military
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what was the relationship between the Church and feudal states?
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the church controlled everything. Pope had highest power. Kingdoms provided armies for Church's crusades. However, the power switched back and forth and so neither kings nor church were ultimately most powerful.
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medieval
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adjective for middle ages
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three-field system
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innovation in the middle ages where 1/3 farmland was left unplanted (fallow) each season. Prevented famine with backup harvest
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fief
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tract of land powerful people leased to less powerful people
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serf
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peasants who worked on a lord's land
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villein
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serfs who worked land on behalf of their lord
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primogeniture
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system where firstborn son (or other male heir) inherited land/titles
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apprentice
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boy training under a master of a trade
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chivalry
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code of conduct for knights that dictated honorable behavior
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mercenary
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warriors for hire
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secular
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attitudes, activities, etc that have nothing to do with religion
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tithing
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the practice of giving 10% of annual income to the Church
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clergy
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people like priests and monks who have devoted their lives to the Church
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what significant accomplishments did Clovis achieve during his rule?
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united the Franks under 1 rule/Converted to Roman Catholicism (his sons divided kingdom after his death)
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what were Charlemagne's contributions and strengths as he worked to unify his kingdom?
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created effective central gov & built large standing army. Used land grants & oaths of fealty
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what was the effect on the power structure of the Church crowning Charlemagne?
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it made the church more powerful
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how did the vikings impact medieval Europe?
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they raided/plundered
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what was the role of the Church in medieval Europe?
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it held together the tribes/people of Europe
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illuminated manuscripts
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handwritten decorated documents
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scholasticism
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school of thought that used reason to defend faith & emerged in medieval Europe around 12th century
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universities
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community of teachers & scholars. Modern universities are based on these
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gothic architecture
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Notre Dame cathedral
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music
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troubadours told classic stores which were later written down
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Early Middle Ages
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500 - 1000 CE
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High Middle Ages
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1000 - 1300 CE
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Late Middle Ages
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1300 - 1500 CE
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Germanic kingdoms
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Franks/Angles/Saxons which heavily influenced European culture
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Charles Martel
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(aka Charles the Hammer) military leader among Franks. Advised Merovingian rulers and assumed most leadership between 737 & 743 CE
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monasticism
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system where religious figures take special vows and live together in group homes called monasteries
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epic
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long narrative poem that recounts the deeds of a hero
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troubadour
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poet/musician who first emerged during the middle ages and specialized in performing long poems about love/chivalry
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William the Conqueror
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norman King who conquered England (1066). blended Anglo-Saxon/French culture
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why has the holy land been the center of conflict for centuries?
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it is valued for its location and religious history
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what were the factors that led Pope Urban II to call for a crusade?
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to secure his own power over the church and to entire the quarrelsome lords of Europe.
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First Crusade
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led by Godfrey of Bouillon and other French lords. Constantinople -> Jerusalem. They eventually won.
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Second Crusade
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crusaders rallied when Muslim forces regrouped. It was poorly organized and failed. Many crusaders returned home.
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Third Crusade
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Muslims retook Jerusalem. Three kings came forward, but little was achieved. Truce where Muslims kept the city, but Christians were allowed to visit shrines.
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Fourth Crusade
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Pope Innocent III called for this crusade to elevate the papacy. Led by French knights. Venetian lords convinced them to sack Christian Constantinople instead. This weakened the Byzantines. There was essentially no crusading in this crusade.
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The Final Crusades
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disorganized military efforts with limited support. The sixth crusade succeeded, but not for long.
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The Children's Crusade
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much-debated event in 1212 after fourth crusade. Separate expeditions led by two youths. They didn't actually reclaim anything but were praised for their efforts.
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significant events/outcomes of the crusades
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constructed castles, increased trade, gave more power to the church.
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legacy of the crusades
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spread Islamic math/science. Breakdown of feudal system & creation of larger kingdoms. Collapse of the Byzantines.
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Peter the Hermit
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French monk who pulled together a disorganized army of peasants/soldiers. Called "people's crusade." Failed.
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Council of Clermont
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in 1095, Pope Urban II called this council to enact important reforms to the Roman Catholic church. He also gave a speech that inspired the crusades.
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Holy Roman Empire
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an empire of lands in central Europe, largely comprising what is now Germany. Existed from 962 - 1806 CE.
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Crusader States
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feudal states and kingdoms, beginning with Edessa, Antioch, Jerusalem... Established by European Christian lords during the crusades.
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Seljuks
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turks
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Saladin
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united Muslim armies and beat the Christians, taking back Jerusalem. Known for being compassionate and still let the Christians visit shrines within the city.
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Richard I (Richard the Lionheart)
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European leader who led troops to take back Jerusalem, but failed.
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Alexis I Comnenus
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Byzantine Emperor who asked Pope Urban II for help defending. Caused the start of the crusades
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Godfrey of Bouillon
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a French knight and Duke of Lower Lorraine in the Holy Roman Empire who led one of the first crusades and helped establish the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem
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William of Tyre
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Christian cleric/scholar raised in Jerusalem who recorded the events of the early crusades
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Ibn al-Qalanisi
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Arab scholar who recorded crusade events
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Louis IX
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led the seventh crusade, which failed
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what caused renewed interest in the arts during the middle ages?
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agriculture benefited, so people had more free time
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characteristics of medieval painting
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less realistic, many designs, no perspective, religious depictions
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Romanesque
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large, small windows, rounded stone walls
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Gothic
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large, stone, stained glass, large windows, pointed arches, soaring heights, gargoyles
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Benedict of Nursia
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most influential mont of Early Middle Ages. Famous for his Benedictine Rule. Became a saint.
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Scholastica
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Benedict's twin sister. First Benedictine Nun. Became a saint.
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Dante Aligheri
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wrote The Divine Comedy. "father of Italian language"
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Boccaccio
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author of popular Decameron. Collected stories about life in Medieval Italy
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Petrarch
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"Father of humanism" Remembered for his Italian poetry
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Frescoes
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mural-style painting of watercolor over plaster walls/ceilings
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Arthurian Legends
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Set of tales about King Arthur at Camelot. Early middle ages
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Beowulf
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epic poem from between 8th & 11th centuries in Old English. Story of Scandinavian hero Beowulf
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Canterbury Tales
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written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer, about stories told by pilgrims while traveling. Late Middle ages.
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Gregorian Chants
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sacred monophonic music. All sung together without harmony. Haunting sounding. Early middle ages
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minstrels
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musicians (instrumentalists) who traveled
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troubadours
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poet-musicians who specialized in performing long poems/songs about chivalry and romance
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humanism
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Renaissance cultural movement that moved away from medieval schools of thought and created renewed interest in ancient Greek/ Roman thought
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Hildegard of Bingen
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German mystic/ abbess/ composer of Early Middle ages. Prominent woman in church history
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Giotto
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italian painting master famous for religious art. Precursor for Renaissance. "Father of modern European painting"
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where did towns form in medieval Europe?
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around centers of gov/ports/markets/cathedrals/trade routes
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why did merchants and craftsmen form guilds?
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they banded together for protection and mutual benefit
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apprentice
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young man who learns through service to a master
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journeyman
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artisans who had learned trade well enough to work for a master for pay
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master
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master of trade. may operate a workshop and train apprentices
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Marco Polo
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Italian merchant/explorer from Venice who traveled to East Asia and Back in 13th Century.
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silk road
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trade route across Asia
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what was the effect of urbanization, expansion of trade, and development of money and guild systems in medieval Europe?
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launched European interest in Foreign lands, exploration, trading companies, commercial revolution. Use of money. Cities grew, disease spread
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urbanization
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making an area into a town/ migration of people from the country to a town or city
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merchant
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someone who buys and sells goods, especially internationally
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burgher
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a member of the merchant class in a German medieval town, or commune. Special status as respected citizens
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middle class
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social class between poor and wealthy, generally made up of merchants, artisans, and other professionals
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commercial revolution
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marked increase in economic activity during the Late middle Ages in Europe, characterized by: use of money, expansion of foreign trade, founding of overseas colonies, and rise of powerful merchant companies
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Alfred the Great
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drove the Danes out of England around 836 CE. Strengthened the army, build navy and fortresses. Was seen as the king of all England, beginning England's national identity
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How did the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella help unify Spain?
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it unified their two kingdoms and established Spain as having one religion (Catholic) and language. Most importantly it unified Spain Nationally.
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How did Joan of Arc help establish a national identity for France?
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she led an army and freed the city of Orleans, France in 10 days. Became a national symbol that everyone could relate to. She was betrayed by a Frenchman and burned at the stake by the English.
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how did the Magna Carta influence modern democratic law and rights?
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the ideas of checks and balances, a jury of peers, precedents, parliament, and that no one is above the law. Individual rights
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what impact did the Great Schism have on the Roman Catholic Church?
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Europe and the church split over which was the "true pope." led to stronger national identity when people realized the the king actually had more power than the church
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Hugh Capet
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French King who began consolidating territory that would ultimately result in modern France.
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William the Conqueror
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a Norman King who invaded/conquered England in 1066. Crowned king William I.
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common laws
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laws Henry II established that applied to all Englishmen
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parliament
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legislative body like US congress that is used in England and other countries (est. by Magna Carta)
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Estates-General
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legislative body in France made up of the different classes of French subjects
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Hundred Years' War
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(1337-1453) series of conflicts/battles between France and England. King Edward II declared himself King of France- French got mad and went to war
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reconquista
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the Spanish name for the centuries-long Christian conquest of the Iberian Peninsula (& Castile)
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ideographic
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having to do with written symbols that represent ideas or objects directly
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Confucius
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Chinese philosopher and teacher (the Tang dynasty hired people who passed difficult exams and showed knowledge of Confucius)
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shinto
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polythestic nature worship that guided the Japanese for centuries
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pacifist
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someone opposed to violence as a means for settling disputes
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shogun
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chief military commander in medieval Japan (unlike emperors, the shogun had real power)
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Emperor Kammu
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a mostly peaceful time, but he sent an army to destroy the Jomons. Moved the capital to Heian (now Kyoto). The arts flourished
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Fujiwara Michinaga
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very powerful "hereditary dictator" who, by year 1000, could overthrow emperors at his liking.
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Kabuki theatre
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a popular drama of Japan characterized by elaborate costuming and rhythmic dialogue
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Zen gardens
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raked sand, stones, and trees as a peaceful place of meditation
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noh theatre
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major performance art of Kamakura period. One of the oldest forms of theatre in the world
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zen buddhism
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very popular in Japan. Encourages enlightenment through personal mediation
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bakufu
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("tent government") Established form of government in Japan, characterized by independent warlords, each in his own fiefdom
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kanji
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Japanese writing
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waka
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poetry
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samurai
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warrior vassals who were very loyal to their daimyo or shogun
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bushido
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code of conduct/ ethics followed by samurai (similar to chivalry)
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daimyo
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a great feudal lord, vassal of the shogun
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during the Heian period:
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*Fujiwara Regency *Tale of Genji *Waka poetry
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during the rise of the shogun:
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*samurai *bakufu *daimyo
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during the Tokugawa shogunate:
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*exile of Christians *Kabuki theater *Hideyosi's campaigns
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isolationism
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policy of isolating one's country from the affairs of other nations (occurred in Japan as a result of being an island nation)
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When and why did Japan lose respect for China?
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during the Heian period because they persecuted buddhists
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what arts flourished during the Fujiwara era?
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literature/ painting/ poetry
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Tale of Genji
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"world's first novel" by Murasaki Shidibu. Had an intricate plot and characters. Tells a lot about aristocratic life and emotions
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tanka
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type of poetry like a haiku. Rigid form/ syllables
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Genghis Khan
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leader of Mongolian army who wanted to take over the world @ 1206 CE. Japanese won because of typhoon. Were left in economic chaos. Japanese rejected the Chinese for siding with the Mongols.
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significant events/ impacts of the Ashikaga period
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leading rebel became Japan's ruler. Dominated bakufu. Stripped imperial government of all power. Samurai benefited. War between daimyo clans and Ashikaga. Period of chaos
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how did Europeans impact Japan in the 1500s?
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muskets, trade, Christianity. Many people converted but were later persecuted
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what led to feudalism in Japan?
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tax exemption for people who funded land reclamation, which allowed rich people to become more wealthy but made the imperial government virtually useless (no tax money). These estates were called shoen. Owners of smaller shoen would pledge their loyalty to daimyo for protection
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what led to feudalism in Europe?
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People fled to rural areas after the fall of Rome and towns grew separately. Fiefs of land were leased to vassals in exchange for loyalty
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similarities between feudalism in Japan and Europe
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Sprang up because of weak central government. Consisted of a relationship between a lord/vassal or shogun/daimyo. Warfare was common, marriage equaled alliance, and castles were built
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differences between feudalism in Japan and Europe
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Europe= lord/vassal owns the farmland and the serfs work on it. They are overlooked by society. Japan= peasants own the land they farm and are respected in society as the providers of food.
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social hierarchy in feudal Japan
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emperor (figurehead), shogun (military leader with real power), daimyo, samurai (warriors), peasants, artisans, merchants (not respected because it was thought that they didn't really contribute to society.)
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social hierarchy in feudal Europe
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king (little power- not everywhere had a king either), lords, knights and vassals, peasants, artisans/merchants (merchants were more respected in feudal Europe than feudal Japan.)
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how long did European feudalism last?
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1,000 years
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how long did Japanese feudalism last?
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500 years
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similarities between knights and samurai
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skilled warriors, wore armor, followed a code (chivalry/ bushido), iconic symbols, served higher ups
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differences between knights and samurai
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Samurai= educated, VERY loyal, did not receive land for their services Knights= often uneducated, received land for their services
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shoen
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private, tax-free estates of powerful Japanese land owners (feudalism was caused by the increase in shoens and subsequent decline of the central government)
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bushi
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Japanese word for warrior
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hara-kiri
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ritual suicide performed by Samurai who had failed (cutting open of stomach and then beheading)
