Barbarians The Roman name for the Germanic tribes, such as the Goths, Visigoths and Vandals. In AD 410 the Goths invaded Italy, and 45 years later the Vandals overran Rome itself.

Black Death A disease that swept across Asia and Europe in the 1340s, also known as the bubonic plague. The Black Death was caused by bacteria inside fleas carried by rats, although no one knew this at the time.

Byzantine Empire The eastern half of the Roman Empire, formed when the Empire split apart in the 4th century. The capital, Constantinople, was founded in AD 330 by Emperor Constantine I. The official religion was Christianity. The Byzantine Empire lasted until 1453 when it fell to the Ottoman Turks.

Charlemagne (c.742–814) King of the Franks, and first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Under Charlemagne's rule, the empire expanded to include Germany, France, northern Spain and most of Italy.

Crusades A series of eight military expeditions led between 1096 and 1272. Called by the Pope, Christians from across Europe tried to recapture Palestine, the Holy Land, from Muslim rule. The Crusaders failed to permanently gain the Holy Land.

Feudal system A social system developed in Europe from 700. In return for military services, the king would lease land to lords (vassals). The lords divided their land into manors and leased these to lesser lords or knights, who raised armies on their behalf. Under the feudal system, the lesser lords let peasants farm the land in exchange for rent.

Fief A piece of land given to a vassal by a lord, within the feudal system.

Franks A Germanic tribe, who rose to power in the 6th century when they conquered Gaul (France).

Friar A monk who travelled from place to place, preaching Christianity as he went.

Hanseatic League An alliance of trading towns in Germany, founded in the 13th century. The League controlled the trade in furs, fish and timber across much of northern Europe.

Holy Roman Empire A group of European states. It was ruled by an emperor but the Pope also claimed some power. It was first founded in 800 when Charlemagne was crowned emperor by Pope Leo III.

Hundred Years’ War A series of wars fought between France and England from 1337 to 1453. The war started when King Edward III of England claimed the French throne and invaded France.

Justinian (483–565) Ruler of the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 565. He won back former Roman territories in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Africa and Spain. The laws he issued have since been used as the basis for legal systems in many countries.

Lord A member of the nobility who was granted land and had control over the serfs who worked on it.

Manor A division of the land owned by a nobleman. One manor consisted of three large fields: one each for wheat and barley and a third left unsown so that the soil could recover its richness.

Medieval Europe The period of European history between around 600 and 1500 is known as the medieval period, or the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages are said to have begun after the collapse of the Roman Empire and to have ended with the start of the Renaissance. During these years, Europe became a patchwork of kingdoms, frequently warring amongst themselves, and Christianity became very important across Europe.

Monk A man who devoted his life to the Christian Church and lived in a monastery. Medieval monks worked in the fields or cared for the poor. Some also copied and illustrated texts, such as the Bible.

Normans A people from Normandy in northern France. They were descended from the Vikings. In 1066, the Normans, led by Duke William of Normandy, conquered England.

Peasant A poor person in medieval society, who stood at the very bottom of the feudal system. Most peasants worked as farmers in fields owned by a lord.

Pope The head of the Catholic Church.

Serf A peasant labourer, bound to work the land on behalf of a lord. In return, serfs were offered protection.

Vassal A loyal follower of a lord or king. A vassal would show his loyalty through military or other services and would be rewarded in the form of land.

Consultant: Philip Parker