MANOR

Self-sufficient farming estate that consisted of the lord's residence, outbuildings, peasant village and surrounding land.

BYZANTINE EMPIRE

Eastern portion of the Roman Empire.

CHARLEMAGNE

King of the Franks; Emperor.

Through military conquests, he established the Carolingian Empire, which ecompassed Gaul and all parts of Germany & Italy.

FIEF

In Medieval Europe, land granted in return for a sworn oath to provide military service.

VASSAL

In Medieval Europe, a sworn supporter of a king or lord who is commited to rendering specified military service to that king or lord.

PAPACY

Office of the pope.

SCHISM

A formal split within a religious community.

HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE

Loose federation of mostly Germanic states and principalities, lead by an emperor who is elected by the princes.

MONASTICISM

Religious way of life characterized by the practice of renouncing worldly pursuits to fully devote one's self to spiritual work.

INVESTITURE CONTROVERSY

Dispute between the popes and the holy Roman emperors over who held ultimate authority over bishops in imperial lands.

CRUSADES

Armed pilgrimages to the Holy Land by Christians determined to recover Jerusalem from Muslim rule.