Medieval Terms and Concepts

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Feudalism

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A social system in medieval Europe, where people worked and fought for nobles in exchange for protection and land.

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Serf

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A laborer bound under the feudal system to work on his lord's estate.

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Vassal

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A person in the feudal system who received protection and land from a lord in exchange for allegiance and performing military or other duties.

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Fief

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An estate of land, especially one held on condition of feudal service.

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Manor

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A large country house with lands; the principal house of a landed estate.

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Chivalry

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The medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code.

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Crusade

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A medieval military expedition, one of a series made by Europeans to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims.

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Knight

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A man who served his sovereign or lord as a mounted soldier in armor.

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Castle

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A large building or group of buildings fortified against attack with thick walls, battlements, towers, and in many cases a moat.

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Plague

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A contagious bacterial disease characterized by fever and delirium, such as the bubonic plague.