A system of rule by local lords who were bound to a king by ties of loyalty; this system controlled peoples’ political, social, and economic lives by custom and heredity

vassal: a holder of land by feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance.

the knights were the protectors
swore allegiance to the king/lords
could be bought by the highest bidder

French King Charles IV died in 1328 with no male heir
Two men attempted to claim the vacant throne
Edward III of England- son-in-law of Chuck
Philip of Valois- nephew of Charles
English armies attacked France

Crusades-holy wars between Christians and Muslims over control of the holy land
Church tried to exercise their power over emerging monarchs by waging war in God’s name
Pope Urban II began them in 1095 and would finally end for good in 1295
Christians lost; led to bitterness b/w Christians, Muslims, and Jews

Originated in Mongolia and spread to Black Sea along Silk Road
Bacteria carried by fleas who lived on black rats
Italian merchants ships brought rats to Europe along with trade goods
First appeared in Sicily and eventually spread

Originated in Mongolia and spread to Black Sea along Silk Road
Bacteria carried by fleas who lived on black rats
Italian merchants ships brought rats to Europe along with trade goods
First appeared in Sicily and eventually spread

People were ignorant about its cause; they blamed the stars. God’s anger, and the Jews
They tried ineffective cures such as pomanders, flagellation, and repentence of sins

Killed 1/3 of the population in Europe
Forced farmers to diversify their crops (fruit, meat, dairy)
Peasants revolted and demanded more freedom (from lords b/c there were less of them)
Working class moved to cities to earn better wages
Reduced the power of feudal lords –went from manorial system to the growth of towns.