Free Printable Worksheets for learning Medieval History at the College level

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Medieval History

Medieval History covers the period of time from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century to the beginning of the Renaissance in the 15th century. This period saw the rise and fall of various kingdoms, empires, and civilizations across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Key Concepts

  • Feudalism: A social and economic system that dominated Europe during the Middle Ages. Land was granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and military service

  • Crusades: A series of holy wars waged by European Christians against Muslims in the Middle East, starting in the late 11th century

  • Black Death: A pandemic that swept across Europe in the 14th century, killing millions of people and dramatically changing the social and economic landscape

  • Norman Conquest: The invasion and conquest of England by the Normans, led by William the Conqueror, in 1066

  • Holy Roman Empire: A complex political entity that existed in Central Europe from the 9th century until the Napoleonic Wars in the 19th century

Important Information

  • Charlemagne was crowned the first Holy Roman Emperor in 800 AD by Pope Leo III

  • The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, limited the power of the English monarchy and established the rule of law

  • The Hundred Years' War, fought between England and France from 1337 to 1453, had a significant impact on both countries and marked the end of medieval warfare

  • The medieval period saw significant advancements in art, architecture, and literature, including the Gothic style, stained glass windows, and epic poetry such as Beowulf and The Song of Roland

Takeaways

  • Feudalism was a key structure of medieval society and heavily influenced political and economic systems

  • The Crusades were a major turning point in medieval history and had far-reaching consequences for the Middle East, Europe, and beyond

  • The Black Death had a profound impact on medieval society, changing the balance of power and leading to significant reforms in labor and social systems

  • The Norman conquest of England and the Magna Carta both helped shape the development of English law and government

  • Art, architecture, and literature flourished during the medieval period and continue to influence modern culture

Here's some sample Medieval History vocabulary lists Sign in to generate your own vocabulary list worksheet.

Word Definition
Peasant A person who is a farmer or a laborer, who is considered a member of the lower social class in the medieval feudal system. An example of a peasant activity includes working on farms, tending to the animals, or selling goods at the marketplace.
Feudalism A political and social system used during the Middle Ages, where people were given land (called fiefs) in exchange for their loyalty and service to the king or lords.
Knight A warrior who fought on horseback, often referred to as chivalry, and were in charge of protecting the king or queen. An example of a knight's weaponry includes a sword, lance, and shield.
Serf A person who is bound to the land they work and considered the property of the lord in the medieval feudal system. Serfs were not free and were required to work on their lord's land without pay or any rights.
Crusades A series of holy wars in the medieval period fought between Christian Europe and Muslim forces from the Middle East over control of the Holy Land.
Monastery A religious building or complex where monks live and work, dedicating their lives to prayer, study, and manual labor. Examples of monastery jobs include copying books or farming.
Joust A medieval sport in which two knights on horseback attempt to unseat each other using a long lance. It was often used for entertainment at festivals and tournaments.
Inquisition A religious court established during the medieval period aimed to expose and suppress heresy, or what is considered to be dissent or rejection of church teachings, including witchcraft, blasphemy, and a wide range of other religious crimes.
Castles Strongholds built during the Middle Ages, from stone or timber lined with stone, which served as a home for nobility and were used for defense against invaders. Castles generally had towers and defensive walls, drawbridges, and moats.
Black Death A deadly plague that swept through Europe during the 14th century, killing millions. The plague was carried by fleas on rats and brought on fever and painful boils before leading to death.
Guild A medieval association of skilled craftsmen or merchants that held a monopoly in their trade. Guilds established strict rules for apprenticeship and production to maintain the quality of goods and to protect the income of their members. Guild members would train apprentices, regulate wages, and set the quality standards for their products.
Chivalry A medieval code of conduct among knights that followed honor in battle and loyalty to one's lord. Chivalry also involved a strict respect for women, which included poetic admiration and sometimes idealized relationships.
Longbow A powerful medieval bow that could fire long distances and was used as a weapon in battle. Longbows were used mainly by English archers and were critical to the English victories over the French during the Hundred Years War.
Fief In the medieval feudal system, a piece of land granted to someone (usually a knight) in return for their allegiance and service to a lord. The land could be farmed for profit, and the landowner gained prestige from having many people pledge to serve and work for him.
Clergy Members of the church, including priests, bishops, and other religious officials who upheld the Catholic Church's teachings and practices.
Moat A deep, wide trench surrounding a castle, filled with water as the primary line of defense against invaders. Moats made it harder for medieval enemies to breach castle walls or to dig tunnels beneath them.
Decree A formal order or law issued by an authority in medieval times, often the king or queen. Decrees usually had severe punishments, including fines, imprisonment or death.
Tournament A mock battle or competition between Medieval knights to test their skills. Knights would joust, fight with swords and perform other contests in front of a large audience. Tournaments were often festive events where people would come from all over the kingdom to see the spectacle.
Court Jester A talented fool or entertainer who provides amusement for royalty and the nobility. Jesters would perform songs, dance, juggle and other enjoyable talents.
Page In the middle Ages, a young boy from a noble family, who was trained to become a knight. A page would be trained in the house of a knight or nobleman and taught how to read, write, learn etiquette and manners, and begin learning how to fight.
Heretic A person who believed in religious teachings that opposed the Catholic Church's established beliefs or doctrine. Medieval heretics were typically seen as a threat to Catholic order and stability and would often be persecuted and put to death.

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Study Guide: Medieval History

Introduction

Medieval History examines the period between the 5th and 15th centuries in Europe. During this time, there were significant changes in politics, religion, society, and culture that continue to impact modern society. This study guide aims to provide an overview of the key themes and events of Medieval History.

Key Themes

  • Feudalism and the role of knights
  • Monarchy and the formation of nation-states
  • The development of Christianity and the Catholic Church
  • The Crusades and interactions with other religions
  • The Black Death and its impact on society and culture
  • The Renaissance and the decline of the medieval period

Important Events and People

5th-9th Centuries

  • Fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 CE)
  • Reign of Charlemagne (768-814)
  • The Viking Age (800-1066)
  • The Eastern Schism (1054)

10th-15th Centuries

  • The Norman Conquest of England (1066)
  • The First Crusade (1096-1099)
  • Magna Carta (1215)
  • The Hundred Years War (1337-1453)
  • The Renaissance (14th-17th centuries)

Important People

  • Charlemagne (742-814)
  • William the Conqueror (1028-1087)
  • Joan of Arc (1412-1431)
  • Marco Polo (1254-1324)
  • Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Study Tips

  • Create a timeline of important events and people to help you remember them.
  • Read primary sources, like The Canterbury Tales or The Divine Comedy, to better understand the culture of the time.
  • Use secondary sources, like textbooks and articles, to gain a more in-depth understanding of complex concepts.
  • Participate in class discussions and study groups to learn from your peers and gain different perspectives.
  • Take advantage of any resources your professor may offer, like office hours or review sessions.

Conclusion

Medieval History is a fascinating period in European history with significant impacts on modern society. By understanding the key themes and events, you can gain insight into the development of politics, religion, and culture during this time period. Use this study guide to help you prepare for tests, papers, and exams.

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Practice Sheet: Medieval History

  1. Explain the significance of the Battle of Tours in 732 CE.
  2. Describe the role of the Catholic Church during the Medieval period.
  3. What is the feudal system and how did it operate in Medieval Europe?
  4. Explain the factors that led to the Crusades and their impact on Europe and the Middle East.
  5. Describe the Black Death and its impact on Europe during the 14th century.
  6. Discuss the importance of chivalry in Medieval society and its relevance in modern times.
  7. Explain the political relationship between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy in Medieval Europe.
  8. Discuss the role of women in Medieval society and their changing status throughout the period.
  9. Describe the Magna Carta and its significance in the development of modern constitutionalism.
  10. Discuss the Hundred Years War and its impact on the political landscape of Medieval Europe.

Medieval History Practice Sheet

  1. What were the major political and social changes during the Middle Ages?

  2. How did the feudal system work?

  3. What were the major contributions of Charlemagne to Medieval Europe?

  4. What were the major religious and cultural developments during the Middle Ages?

  5. What were the major technological advancements during the Middle Ages?

  6. How did the Crusades impact Medieval Europe?

  7. What were the major economic developments during the Middle Ages?

  8. What were the major causes of the decline of the Roman Empire?

  9. How did the Black Death impact Medieval Europe?

  10. How did the Renaissance impact European society?

Medieval History Practice Sheet

1. What was the primary economic system of Europe during the Middle Ages?

A. Capitalism B. Feudalism C. Socialism D. Mercantilism

2. What is the name of the document that established the rules for the trial by ordeal?

A. Magna Carta B. Assize of Clarendon C. Constitutio Criminalis Carolina D. Pactum Legis

3. What was the primary language of the Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages?

A. Latin B. Greek C. French D. German

4. What is the name of the book written by Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century?

A. Summa Theologica B. The Prince C. The Divine Comedy D. The Canterbury Tales

5. What is the name of the code of law created by Charlemagne in the 9th century?

A. Lex Salica B. Lex Francorum C. Lex Saxonum D. Lex Burgundionum

Here's some sample Medieval History quizzes Sign in to generate your own quiz worksheet.

Medieval History Quiz

Test your knowledge of Medieval History with this challenging quiz!

Problem Answer
What was the main religion in medieval Europe? Christianity
Who were the Vikings? Raiders from Scandinavia
What was the most famous battle of the Hundred Years' War? Battle of Agincourt
What was the Magna Carta? A document that limited the power of the English monarchy
Who was the leader of the Mongol Empire during the 13th century? Genghis Khan
Who was Joan of Arc? A French military leader and saint
What was the Black Death? A deadly plague that swept through Europe
What was the Reconquista? The Christian reclamation of the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule
What was the significance of the Battle of Hastings? It marked the Norman conquest of England
What was the Investiture Controversy? A conflict between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor over the appointment of bishops
Question Answer
What was the primary language of the medieval period? Latin
What was the main religion of the medieval period? Christianity
Who was the most powerful ruler in the medieval period? Charlemagne
What is the name of the period of the Middle Ages between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance? The Dark Ages
What was the primary form of government during the medieval period? Feudalism
What was the most important economic activity during the medieval period? Agriculture
What was the most common form of currency during the medieval period? Gold coins
What was the primary source of power during the medieval period? Manual labor
What was the primary form of communication during the medieval period? Oral tradition
What was the most significant event of the medieval period? The Crusades

Medieval History Quiz

Question Answer
What was the name of the period of European history that lasted from the 5th to the 15th century? The Middle Ages
Who was the first king of England? William the Conqueror
What was the name of the document signed in 1215 that limited the power of the English monarchy? The Magna Carta
What was the name of the system of social classes that existed in Medieval Europe? The Feudal System
What was the primary language spoken in Medieval Europe? Latin
What was the name of the religious movement that sought to reform the Catholic Church in the 14th century? The Great Schism
Who was the most famous author of Medieval literature? Geoffrey Chaucer
What was the name of the bubonic plague that devastated Europe in the 14th century? The Black Death
What was the name of the group of warriors who fought for the Christian armies during the Crusades? The Knights Templar
What was the name of the Germanic tribe that invaded and settled in Britain in the 5th century? The Angles and Saxons
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