Term
Professional Cavalry Men
ch. 12
pg. 280 |
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Definition
Although cavalry men were not new (introduced by Byzantine and Persian empire centuries before), the new way fo attack was. Set a man with heavy armor, a lance (instead of a bow), and send him at full gallop into an army with stirrups to keep him in the saddle, and you had a very powerful force. These knights dominated the battlefeild for about 300 years.
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Term
Carolingian Empire
ch. 12
pg. 280-289 |
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Definition
Important facts:
- Begun with the crowning of Charlemagne, or Charles the Great.
- Powerful empire due to many facts, such as Charles' allegence to the Papacy (giving him some religiuous power), and Chrales' military prowess.
- Fought almost every year against barbarians, and pushed them back.
- Charlemagne spread Christianity to conquered lands, giving him more power in these areas.
- First emperor in the west since Romulus Agustulus in 476.
- Fell because of weakness in Charlemagne's successors.
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Term
Why the raiding stopped after about 1000
ch.12
pg. 283 |
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Definition
With the start of the manorial system of agriculture (basically a feudal system with lord, pesant farmers, and church), relatively large numbers of knights were provided a means of support. These knights were then powerful local defense, which could stop most barbarian raids. |
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Term
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Definition
*Being unable to find norsemen in the text, I am going to assume this means vikings.
River pirates from Scandanavia made it unsafe for Byzantine trade in the Black Sea. The boats they used were shallow and could be rowed up rivers, giving access to much of the continent. Foot soldiers simply could not keep up with the speed of the ships, so raiding could be done relatively easily. |
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