Medieval Ages: Definitions

Multiple choice questions. Choose the best answer.
  1. A "basilica" is

    a) an oblong building with columns.
    b) a Catholic church with high status.
    c) an early Christian church design.
    d) all of the above.


  2. A "parish" is

    a) a high church official in England.
    b) an area or district run by the church.
    c) a local manor controlled by the king.
    d) a person in charge of the local mill.


  3. A "heretic" is

    a) an enemy of the king.
    b) a religious monk.
    c) a dissenter from church rules.
    d) a high church official.


  4. A "tithe" is

    a) an old book.
    b) decoration around a letter or manuscript.
    c) a feudal estate.
    d) a church tax.


  5. Medieval "illumination" refers to

    a) alchemy.
    b) a form of philosophy in 13th century France.
    c) ideas leading to the development of agricultural tools.
    d) decoration around a letter or manuscript.


  6. "Danelaw" referred to

    a) an area of England occupied by Viking Danes.
    b) an early feudal justice system.
    c) the way of life in Denmark.
    d) Viking raids on the English coast.


  7. "Feudalism" referred to

    a) the democratic will of the people.
    b) obligations between a lord and his vassals.
    c) church control over the king.
    d) the Pope's control over the monarchy.


  8. A "fief" was

    a) minor thief.
    b) a small flute.
    c) a feudal estate.
    d) a wandering musician.


  9. "Chivalry" refers to

    a) religious acts of devotion.
    b) obligations of a lord to his vassals.
    c) church control over the king.
    d) the dignity and system of knighthood.


  10. A "troubador" was

    a) a wandering minstrel.
    b) a merchant dealing in silk.
    c) a general labourer.
    d) a troublemaker.


  11. A "manor" was

    a) the lord of a feudal estate.
    b) a unit of social and economic administration.
    c) an area controlled by the church.
    d) a way of grinding grain.


  12. A "serf" was a person who was

    a) a religious leader.
    b) a knight and advisor to the king.
    c) tied to the land.
    d) a merchant and free to travel.


  13. The "missi dominici" were

    a) decorations around letters or manuscripts.
    b) royal officials serving Charlemagne.
    c) church rules.
    d) travelling musicians.


  14. The "demesne" referred to

    a) the possessions of the lord.
    b) the rights of the serfs.
    c) an area of church lands.
    d) Danelaw.


  15. In medieval times, the "bailiff" was

    a) in charge of church lands.
    b) a village administrator serving the local lord.
    c) an innkeeper.
    d) an unemployed serf.


  16. "Excommunication" refers to

    a) being cast out of the church.
    b) being unable to read or write.
    c) the rights of the church and state.
    d) wars between France and England.


  17. "Simony" refers to

    a) the buying and selling of church positions and benefits.
    b) a musical composition.
    c) a Latin translation of the Bible.
    d) none of the above.


  18. "Usury" refers to

    a) the buying and selling of church positions and benefits.
    b) rent paid by serfs to lords.
    c) a Latin translation of the Bible.
    d) interest charges on money loans.


  19. In medieval times, the "sacraments" referred to

    a) the destruction of a church.
    b) the work of a vassal for his lord.
    c) a religious act or ceremony.
    d) the land of a king.


  20. The "three field system" referred to

    a) the three levels of medieval society.
    b) the king, the church and the knights.
    c) a system of agriculture used on the medieval manor.
    d) a feudal system of justice.


  21. "Chanson de geste" refers to

    a) a popular form of vernacular literature during medieval times.
    b) an epic about war among Norman gods.
    c) a miracle play set in Paris.
    d) a troubador from France.


  22. The "vernacular" refers to

    a) an association of cardinals and priests.
    b) an association of merchants and craftsmen.
    c) the everyday language of the common people.
    d) a church ceremony conducted by the pope.


  23. In medieval times, a "guild" was

    a) the first stanza of a long poem.
    b) an association of merchants and craftsmen.
    c) a feudal system of justice.
    d) a church organization to promote education.


  24. A "barter system" is a trade system

    a) based on money used to determine the value of goods.
    b) based on the exchange of goods of equal value.
    c) developed by merchant bankers in the Baltic city states.
    d) based on medieval church organization.


  25. The "Hanseatic League" was an association of

    a) cathedrals and clerics in medieval England.
    b) French knights sent to fight in the Crusades.
    c) churches to promote peace during the Hundred Years' War.
    d) city states in northern Europe.


  26. An "alchemist" was a person who

    a) primarily studied the chemistry of plants.
    b) tried to make gold from base minerals.
    c) performed magic and served the king.
    d) worshipped the pagan god "Alcem".

Answer key 1. d 6. a 11. b 16. a 21. a 26. b
2. b 7. b 12. c 17. a 22. c
3. c 8. c 13. b 18. d 23. b
4. d 9. d 14. a 19. c 24. b
5. d 10. a 15. b 20. c 25. d

Compiling such a data bank is an ongoing process. Comments and contributions are appreciated by those persons who use this resource.

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