Europe in Transition

History

Zone of moderate climate between the tropical and polar zones

Temperate zone

Zone of moderate climate between the tropical and polar zones. Temperate zone. In history, temperate zones were ideal for ancient civilizations to thrive due to mild weather and fertile lands.

A long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by a glacier

Fjord

A long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by a glacier. Fjord. In ancient times, fjords were used by Vikings as sheltered routes for travel and trade.

A body of water that is deep, wide and calm enough for a water vessel to pass safely

Navigable

A body of water that is deep, wide and calm enough for a water vessel to pass safely. Navigable. In history, "navigable" refers to waterways that were essential for transportation and trade because they allowed ships to travel safely.

The process of clearing forests

Deforestation

The process of clearing forests deforestation. Deforestation is the removal of trees and forests, often to make way for agriculture or development, and has been happening throughout history as human civilizations expanded.

In the history of Europe, period that lasted from the 5th to the late 15th century

Middle Ages

In the history of Europe, period that lasted from the 5th to the late 15th century. Middle Ages. The Middle Ages was a time in Europe between ancient and modern times characterized by feudalism, castles, and knights.

A system of holding of land in exchange for service or labor

Feudalism

A system of holding of land in exchange for service or labor. Feudalism. Feudalism is a medieval European system where nobles offered protection and land to vassals in return for military service and labor.

A property or right that an overlord gave a vassal in exchange for military service

Fief

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

A person regarded as having a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch

Vassal

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

A worker who has to stay in a lord's area

Serf

A worker who has to stay in a lord's area. Serf. In history, a serf was a farmer or laborer who was bound to work on a noble's land and could not leave without permission.

An estate in land which includes the right to hold a manorial court

Manor

An estate in land which includes the right to hold a manorial court. manor. A manor was a large estate in medieval Europe, comprising the lord's residence, farmland, and villages, governed by manorial courts.

A varying code of conduct associated with the Christian institution of knighthood

Chivalry

A varying code of conduct associated with the Christian institution of knighthood. Chivalry was a medieval ethical code that emphasized bravery, courtesy, and honor among knights.

A charter of rights agreed to by King John of England

Magna Carta

A charter of rights agreed to by King John of England. Magna Carta. It is a historical document that limited the king's power and laid the foundation for modern legal systems.

The King of the Franks and the Lombards, and Emperor of the Romans

Charlemagne

The King of the Franks and the Lombards, and Emperor of the Romans. Charlemagne. Charlemagne was a medieval ruler who united much of Western Europe and is often called the "Father of Europe."

The first Norman King of England (1066 - 1087)

William the Conqueror

The first Norman King of England 1066 - 1087. William the Conqueror. William the Conqueror was the leader who invaded England in 1066 and established Norman rule.

Queen of France and England and one of the most powerful women in western Europe

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Queen of France and England and one of the most powerful women in Western Europe. Eleanor of Aquitaine was a medieval ruler who significantly influenced politics and culture.

The King of England (1199 - 1216), significant for the sealing of Magna Carta

King John

The King of England 1199 - 1216, significant for the sealing of Magna Carta. King John. King John was a medieval English king known for signing the Magna Carta, which limited the power of the monarchy.

A place where monks or nuns live and work

Monastery

A place where monks or nuns live and work. monastery. In history, a monastery is a religious community where people dedicate their lives to worship and work.

A woman who made a special vow dedicating herself to a religious life

Nun

A woman who made a special vow dedicating herself to a religious life. Nun. In history, a nun is a woman who lives in a convent and devotes her life to religious service and prayer.

People who are believed to be holy

Saint

People who are believed to be holy. Saint. In history, a saint is a person recognized for their exceptional holiness and virtue, often canonized by the Church.

A series of wars over religious views between the Christian and Muslim populations

Crusades

A series of wars over religious views between the Christian and Muslim populations. Crusades. The Crusades were medieval military expeditions made by Europeans to recover the Holy Land from Muslim control.

A Christian gradual military retaking of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors

Reconquista

A Christian gradual military retaking of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors. Reconquista. The Reconquista was the series of campaigns by Christian states to recapture territory from the Muslims in medieval Spain and Portugal.

A church that contains the cathedra of a bishop

Cathedral

A church that contains the cathedra of a bishop. Cathedral. In history, a cathedral is a large and important church that serves as the principal church of a diocese, where the bishop's official seat or throne is located.

A style of medieval art that developed in Northern France out of Romanesque art

Gothic style

A style of medieval art that developed in Northern France out of Romanesque art. Gothic style. Gothic style is characterized by its soaring cathedrals with pointed arches, flying buttresses, and large stained-glass windows.

An infectious disease spread by flea bites or handling an infected animal

Plague

An infectious disease spread by flea bites or handling an infected animal. Plague. Historically, the plague, especially the Black Death, devastated Europe in the 14th century, killing millions.

A German abbess, one of the best-known composers of sacred monophony

Hildegard of Bingen

A German abbess, one of the best-known composers of sacred monophony, Hildegard of Bingen. Hildegard of Bingen was a medieval nun who made significant contributions to music, writing, and science.

The bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States (1088 - 1099)

Pope Urban II

The bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States 1088 - 1099. Pope Urban II. He is known for initiating the First Crusade in 1095, which aimed to reclaim Jerusalem for Christianity.

A period in European history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity

Renaissance

A period in European history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity. Renaissance. It was a time of renewed interest in art, science, and the ideas of ancient Greece and Rome.

A philosophical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings

Humanism

A philosophical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings. Humanism. In history, humanism is a movement that emerged during the Renaissance, focusing on human potential and achievements.

A person or organization that supports another

Patron

A person or organization that supports another. Patron. In History, a patron often funded artists or scholars, enabling them to focus on their work.

A formation of an image in a picture viewed from a fixed point

Perspective

A formation of an image in a picture viewed from a fixed point perspective. In history, perspective is a method used in art to create the illusion of depth and space on a flat surface, originating in the Renaissance period.

De facto ruler of the Florentine Republic and patron of Renaissance culture

Lorenzo Medici

De facto ruler of the Florentine Republic and patron of Renaissance culture, Lorenzo Medici. Lorenzo Medici was a powerful leader in Florence who supported artists and helped the Renaissance flourish.

An Italian scholar and poet, one of the earliest humanists

Petrarch

An Italian scholar and poet, one of the earliest humanists. Petrarch is often called the "Father of Humanism," as he helped initiate the Renaissance.

A poet and author at the court of King Charles VI of France

Christine de Pizan

A poet and author at the court of King Charles VI of France, Christine de Pizan. Christine de Pizan was a pioneering female writer who challenged stereotypes and advocated for women's rights during the late Middle Ages.

An Italian diplomat, philosopher and writer, best known for Il Principe

Niccolo Machiavelli

An Italian diplomat, philosopher and writer, best known for Il Principe. Niccolo Machiavelli. He is often considered the father of modern political science for his pragmatic and sometimes ruthless advice on leadership and power.

An Italian polymath, scientist, inventor, painter, architect and paleontologist

Leonardo

An Italian polymath, scientist, inventor, painter, architect, and paleontologist. Leonardo was a genius of the Renaissance who created famous artworks and advanced various fields of study.

An Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet

Michelangelo

An Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet. Michelangelo. He was a Renaissance artist known for masterpieces like the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

An English poet, playwright and actor, one of the world's greatest dramatist

Shakespeare

An English poet, playwright and actor, one of the world's greatest dramatists. Shakespeare was a famous writer from the 16th century who created many well-known plays and stories.

A Spanish writer best known for his novel Don Quixote

Miguel de Cervantes

A Spanish writer best known for his novel Don Quixote. Miguel de Cervantes was a major figure in Spanish literature during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

Was written by Martin Luther that the Church should not sell indulgences

95 Theses

Was written by Martin Luther that the Church should not sell indulgences. 95 Theses. The 95 Theses is a list of arguments by Martin Luther challenging the Catholic Church's practice of selling indulgences, sparking the Protestant Reformation.

A temporal punishment for sins which have already been forgiven is taken from the sinner

Indulgence

A temporal punishment for sins which have already been forgiven is taken from the sinner. Indulgence. In history, an indulgence was a grant by the Catholic Church that reduced time in purgatory for sins after confession.

The 16th century schism within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther

Reformation

The 16th century schism within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther. Reformation. The Reformation was a movement that aimed to reform the practices of the Catholic Church and led to the creation of Protestant churches.

Theologians whose works and actions brought about the Protestant Reformation

Protestant

Theologians whose works and actions brought about the Protestant Reformation. Protestant. Protestant refers to a branch of Christianity that originated in the 16th century as a movement against certain practices of the Catholic Church.

A leading Christian church in England founded by Henry VIII

Anglican Church

A leading Christian church in England founded by Henry VIII. Anglican Church. The Anglican Church, also known as the Church of England, was created when King Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church in the 16th century.

A French theologian, pastor and reformer, a developer of Calvinism

Martin Luther

A French theologian, pastor and reformer, a developer of Calvinism. Martin Luther. Martin Luther was a German monk who initiated the Protestant Reformation by challenging the Catholic Church's practices.

A pope and ruler of the Papal States (1513 - 1521)

Leo X

A pope and ruler of the Papal States 1513 - 1521. Leo X was a Renaissance Pope known for his lavish spending and support of the arts, contributing to the cultural richness of the period.

The King of England from 1509 until his death in 1547

Henry VIII

The King of England from 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry VIII. Henry VIII is famous for having six wives and breaking away from the Catholic Church to form the Church of England.

A German inventor, printer, and publisher who invented the printing press

Johann Gutenberg

A German inventor, printer, and publisher who invented the printing press, Johann Gutenberg. He revolutionized the way books were made, making them more accessible and fostering the spread of knowledge.

The Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 until her death 1603

Elizabeth I

The Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 until her death in 1603, Elizabeth I. Elizabeth I was a powerful and influential monarch known for strengthening England and defeating the Spanish Armada.

A Spanish Catholic priest, theologian and co-founder of the Society of Jesus

Ignatius of Loyola

A Spanish Catholic priest, theologian and co-founder of the Society of Jesus. Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatius of Loyola was a key figure in the Counter-Reformation, founding the Jesuits to reform the Church and spread Catholicism.