Frankish leader of a large kingdom who converted to Christianity and combined several Frankish kingdoms into one.

The leading palace official under a Frankish King. Eventually became the most powerful person inside the Merovingian House.

Became the sole ruler of the Frankish kingdom; declared Roman Emperor by the pope.

means "papa;" the bishop of Rome, head of the Roman Catholic Church

Pope who led the Church at the height of its power in the Middle Ages

A legal document issued by the king or noble that listed privileges of the town's inhabitants and freed them from most feudal duties (still paid taxes)

Laid the foundation for a strong monarchy through his conquest of England.

strengthened English royal authority by expanding the use of royal courts (circuit courts)

Developed by Henry II; traveling judges heard cases in a particular province (circuit) of England.

Originally the Count of Paris, he was the king of France who founded the Capetian dynasty.

developed a strong monarchy in France by reaquiring French land owned by the English king and increased the effectiveness of the royal government by sending officials to enforce laws.

document limiting royal power that English nobles forced King John to sign

began as a group of advisors for the king and became a formal legislative body with two houses: House of Lords (nobles) and House of Commons (Knights and wealthy citizens)

Parliament's power to grant or withhold approval of new taxes.

A papal decree denying groups access to sacraments

A series of military expeditions launched by Christian Europeans to win the Holy land back from Muslim control.

a group in feudal society that lived in towns- merchants, bankers, skilled workers

Enabled people to travel without carrying large sums of money.

Roman Catholic seizure of Spain and Portugal from the Muslims

a code of rules and expectations for knights

A church decree making church property off limits during fighting among knights.

A church decree that prohibited fighting from Friday through Sunday and on religious holidays.

A large and important church

rounded arches, vaulted ceilings, heavy walls ornately decorated.

Characterized by pointed arches, high ceilings, flying buttresses, and large stained-glass windows

the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.

Italian poet who wrote the Divine Comedy

English poet remembered as author of the Canterbury Tales

Calamity that struck a large area of Europe caused by much rain, rotting crops, and a lack of salt to preserve meat.

English King claiming the French throne, launched war for the throne called Hundred Years' War