Chapter 7 Vocabulary Crossword

the capital of the eastern Roman empire; capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, now called Istanbul
(483–565) was born of peasant stock and adopted by his uncle Justin (emperor from 518). As the Byzantine emperor from 527 to 565, Justinian continued war with Persia and sought to win back former western Roman provinces from barbarian invaders. After riots and a major fire in 532, he rebuilt much of Constantinople in glorious style. He also instituted reforms to stop imperial corruption and promote justice for his subjects. His most influential achievement is Justinian’s Code, a collection, organization, and revision of Roman laws.
collection of Roman laws organized by the Byzantine emperor Justinian and later serving as a model for the Catholic Church and medieval monarchs
ruler who has complete authority
(497–548) was the wife of the emperor Justinian and was his most trusted advisor. Known for her powerful intelligence and shrewd political insight, Theodora exerted decisive influence in Byzantine political affairs. She is mentioned by name in almost every law passed during Justinian’s reign. Theodora used her position and power to advance her interests, including pioneering efforts for women’s rights. She supported strong laws to end the traffic in young women and revised divorce laws in favor of more benefits to women.
(466–511) is known as the political and religious founder of the kingdom of the Franks. He ruled much of Gaul from the late fifth century until 511. His kingdom, which expanded south and west from what is present-day Belgium and northeastern France, was the most powerful in Gaul. He was also the most important ally of the Byzantine emperor Anastasius I. Born a pagan, Clovis corresponded with the powerful bishops of Gaul and, in 496 or perhaps later, became famous as one of the first Germanic kings to convert to Christianity.
referring to the Middle Ages in Europe or the period of history between ancient and modern times
a Germanic tribe that conquered present-day France and neighboring lands in the 400s
(688–741) served as mayor of the palace (the person who ruled in the name of the king) for the eastern part of the Frankish kingdom from 715 until 741. The illegitimate son of the former mayor, Martel seized power, eventually reunited, and then ruled the entire kingdom of the Franks. Since 711, Muslims had raided Frankish lands, and in 732 they reached Bordeaux. Called to help at the battle of Tours that year, Charles’s cavalry halted this last great Muslim advance into Europe.
battle in 732 in which the Christian Franks led by Charles Martel defeated the Muslim armies and stopped the Muslim advance into Europe
(747–814), (or “Charles the Great”) king of the Franks, the Lombards, and emperor of the Romans, began as a warrior king seeking to conquer territory and distribute plunder in the Frankish tradition. But he also strove to unite and govern an increasingly diverse collection of conquered peoples as well as cope with threats from new invaders. He conducted a long series of successful military campaigns, made efforts to spread Christianity and implement religious reform, sought to make more effective inherited political institutions and procedures, and supported cultural renewal through a revival of learning.
an ethnic group centered in present-day Hungary
Scandinavian peoples whose sailors raided Europe from the 700s through the 1100s
loosely organized system of government in which local lords governed their own lands but owed military service and other support to a greater lord
in medieval Europe, a lord who was granted land in exchange for service and loyalty to a greater lord
exchange of pledges between lords and vassals
in medieval Europe, an estate granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for service and loyalty
a European noble who served as a mounted warrior
a mock battle in which knights would compete against on another to display their fighting skills
code of conduct for knights during the Middle Ages
a wandering poet or singer of medieval Europe
also called manorial system; economic system during the Middle Ages in Europe that was built around large estates called manors, which included one or more villages and the surrounding lands
(1122–1204), was an heiress to the dukedom of Aquitaine. At age 15, she married the French royal heir, Louis VI, and became queen of France. Intelligent and energetic, she strongly influenced her husband and went with him on the Second Crusade. Her second marriage was to Henry Plantagenet, who became Henry II of England in 1154. While caring for five sons and three daughters, she actively helped administer England, managed her own domains—making the court at Poitiers a model of courtly life—and remained politically active into her 80s.