Vocabulary Mapping

Explore the key terms of The Middle Ages by interacting with the layers below. Click a phrase to see definitions, examples, and roots.

Layer 1
Society Expression

Terms describing social structure, power dynamics, and how people depended on one another for survival.

Definition
A system of government and society where land was exchanged for loyalty, protection, and service.
Example
“Under feudalism, knights protected land owned by lords in return for land.”
Word Within a Word
feud = land/property
Definition
A system that ranks people based on power or importance.
Example
“The feudal hierarchy placed the king at the top and peasants at the bottom.”
Word Within a Word
arch = rule/leader
Definition
A large estate in medieval Europe that included farmland, villages, and the lord’s home.
Example
“Most people on the manor worked together to produce food and tools.”
Word Within a Word
manu = hand
Definition
A person who pledged loyalty and service to a lord in exchange for land.
Example
“The knight served as a vassal to the lord who gave him land.”
Word Within a Word
vas = servant
Definition
A peasant who was tied to the land and required to work for the lord.
Example
“The serf could not leave the manor without permission.”
Word Within a Word
serv = to serve
Definition
A code of behavior followed by knights emphasizing bravery, loyalty, and honor.
Example
“Knights were expected to follow chivalry when serving their lord.”
Word Within a Word
caval = horse
Layer 2
Religious Expression

Terms detailing how the Church shaped time, education, and daily habits in medieval life.

Definition
The most powerful religious institution in medieval Europe, influencing religion, government, and education.
Example
“The Catholic Church guided daily life through worship and tradition.”
Word Within a Word
cathol = universal
Definition
A religious community where monks lived, worked, and studied.
Example
“Monks in a monastery copied books by hand to preserve knowledge.”
Word Within a Word
mono = one
Definition
A large and important church that served as a religious and community center.
Example
“The cathedral was built to honor God and inspire the community.”
Word Within a Word
cathedra = seat of authority
Definition
A journey taken for religious reasons to a sacred place.
Example
“Many people went on a pilgrimage to show devotion to their faith.”
Word Within a Word
per / ager = through land
Layer 3
Temporal Expression

Terms that place society on a timeline, defining eras, turning points, and change over time.

Definition
The period in European history from about 500 AD to 1500 AD.
Example
“The Middle Ages was a time of castles, knights, and strong religious influence.”
Word Within a Word
medius = middle
Definition
A period of renewed interest in art, science, and learning that followed the Middle Ages.
Example
“The Renaissance marked the end of the Middle Ages.”
Word Within a Word
nas/nat = birth

Cross-Content Connections

ELA & Word Study

Use stems like mono (one), arch (rule), and serv (serve) to decode new words in science and literature. Create "root webs" connecting vocabulary.

Try it: “If monologue means ‘one speech,’ what might dialogue mean?”

Geography

Map pilgrimage routes and discuss how manors utilized local geography for self-sufficient resources. Discuss settlement patterns.

Try it: Map a route and label physical features along the path.

Civics & Power

Compare medieval hierarchy to modern government. Discuss how the Catholic Church acted as a governing institution affecting laws and culture.

Systems Thinking

Treat feudalism as a system: Inputs (labor), Outputs (protection/food), and Feedback loops (obligations). What happens if one part fails?