Vocabulary

 

Middle Ages- The Period of European History that began with the fall of the Roman Empire and lasted almost 1,000 years.


Feudalism- The legal and social system that existed in medieval Europe, in which vassals held land from lords in exchange for military service.


Lords- In medieval Europe, a powerful land- or property-owner, with authority over an area, castle, or community, e.g. the lord of a manor.


Serf- A laborer legally bound to and obliged to serve a lord.


Vassals- Somebody who gave loyalty and homage to a feudal lord and received the right to occupy the lord's land and be protected by him.

Charlemagne- King of the Franks (768-814) and founder of the first empire in western Europe after the fall of Rome. His court at Aix-la-Chapelle became the center of the Carolingian Renaissance.

Monastery- A community of persons, especially monks, bound by vows to a religious life and often living in partial or complete seclusion.

Manor-The main part of the noble's land.

Knight- A highly trained mounted warrior in the service of a noble during the european middle ages.

Chivalry- The code of conduct of medieval European knight,focusing on bravery,honor,and respect toward women and the weak.

Guild- An association of people sharing a trade or craft,intended to control the quality and quantity of their production and to protect their interests..

Merlons- A solid portion between two crenels in a battlement or crenelated wall.


Moats- A deep wide ditch, usually filled with water, typically surrounding a fortified medieval town, fortress, or castle as a protection against assault. 


Tower- To draw or pull behind by a chain or line.

A Siege- Is the act of an army surrounding an enemy castle or fortification with the intent of keeping everyone inside for a long period of time. This siege could last months or even years. The intent of the sieging army was to starve out the people and cause their situation to become desperate so that they would surrender.

A SUIT OF ARMOR-
Helmet-  A head covering.

Visor- Movable part of the helmet that covered the eyes. 

Gorget- A collar of metal that protected the throat. 

Shoulder Piece- Metal that covered the shoulders. 
Cuirass- Breast plate. 

Brassard- Arm protector.

Elbow Piece- Metal covering the knee and elbows and allowing for movement of the leg. 

Tasset- Overlapping plates that form a short skirt around the hips. 

Gauntlet- A glove. 

Coat of Mail(chain mail)-  Net made of metal rings worn under the armor. 

Cuisse- A metal thigh covering. 

Greave- Metal from the ankle to the knee. 

Sabaton- Foot covering.


WEAPONS USED ON THE CASTLE-


Battering Ram and Bore- The battering ram was a huge tree trunk with a head of iron which hung by chains from a tower. The log was pulled back and then released so that it would swing forward and beat down the castle walls. Sometimes a pointed log was placed on the chains. This was called a bore. It was used to open a hole in a wall instead of knocking it down.

Ballista- The ballista was a giant crossbow on a platform used to throw stones and balls of fire.


Belfry- The belfry was a wooden tower with scaffolding. It was covered with wet hides to protect it from fire. Soldiers used the belfry to climb to the top of the castle wall.

THE SOLDIER'S WEAPONS

Lance Spear- Carried by knights on horseback.

Long Bow and Arrow- Weapon used by foot soldiers.

Mace- A club made of a ball with spikes attached to a wooden handle and carried by foot soldiers.

Dagger- A short, double-edged knife.

Battle Axe- A long handled axe.

Crossbow and Arrow- A compact bow and arrow carried by foot soldiers.

Sword- A heavy, double-edged steel long, knife-like weapon.

Scabbard- A cover or shield for a sword.

Halberd- A combination battle axe and lance.

Bludgeon- A club with the ball attached to the club by a chain.

Hawk's Beak- A short halberd used to pierce mail.

Armet- A very light helmet. It was closed and a very good protection for the face and eyes principally.

Barbute- An Italian helmet. It had a "Y" shape in the middle that provided visibility and ventilation.
Breaths- Holes in a helmet to provide ventilation.

Buckler- A small round shield used to strike and block. It was made for very flexible fighters.

Byrnie- A mail shirt used by wealthy warriors until the XI century.

Hauberk- It was normally made of mail and it covered all the upper body (including the neck sometimes).

Pauldron- Plate armor for the shoulders.

Shield- A defensive devise used normally with the left hand. Shield were built in a very big variety of sizes and shapes.

Vambrace- Armor that guarded the forearm. 


Ballista-A large bow that shoot huge stones.

Mangonel-Baseicly a large slinge.