Year 8 2015 - Medieval History Quiz

During medieval times, "trial by ordeal" was a legal practice in which the guilt or innocence of an accused person was determined by subjecting them to a painful or dangerous test. The accurate statement is that ordeals were based on the assumption that the accused was guilty until proven innocent. In this system, the belief was that if the accused survived the ordeal or showed no signs of injury, it was seen as a divine intervention and proof of their innocence. This practice was rooted in the idea that God would protect the innocent and punish the guilty, hence the presumption of guilt until proven otherwise.

Charlemagne was crowned as the first Holy Roman Emperor in AD 800. He was a prominent figure in European history, known for his military conquests and efforts to promote education and culture. His coronation marked the revival of the Roman Empire in Western Europe and the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire. Charlemagne's reign had a significant impact on European politics, religion, and culture, making him a crucial figure in medieval history.

This answer is correct because the source is depicting a wattle and daub cottage, which was a common type of housing for peasants in the Middle Ages. Additionally, the mention of the cottage being inhabited by a peasant further supports the accuracy of the statement.

The collapse of Rome resulted in a long period of increased conflict and uncertainty. With the fall of the Roman Empire, there was a power vacuum that led to struggles for control among various factions. This period, known as the Dark Ages, was marked by political instability, invasions, and economic decline. The loss of centralized authority and infrastructure led to a breakdown in social order, leaving people vulnerable to violence and insecurity.

A well trained longbow archer could shoot several arrows a minute: This statement is accurate because the passage mentions that the English archers shot their arrows with force and speed, suggesting that they were able to shoot multiple arrows in a short amount of time.

The longbow was the most significant and devastating weapon in this battle: This statement is accurate because the passage emphasizes the effectiveness of the English archers' arrows in cutting through armor and disabling the crossbows, indicating the significant impact of the longbow in the battle.

This is a primary source: This statement is accurate because the passage is an excerpt from Jean Froissart's personal account of the Battle of Crécy, making it a firsthand source of information.

The other statements are not accurate based on the information provided in the passage. There is no mention of the battle being part of the Norman Conquest, the crossbowmen are not described as knights, and there is no indication that Jean Froissart's view of events is inaccurate due to his nationality.

In medieval times, an accused person might undergo an ordeal by fire as a means of determining their guilt or innocence. They would be forced to carry a hot coal or poker for a certain number of steps and then wait for three days to see if the wound became infected or healed. If the wound healed, it was believed that God had intervened and the person was considered innocent. However, if the wound festered, it was seen as a sign of guilt. This practice was used as a form of trial by ordeal to determine the truth.

The correct answer is "runes" because Anglo-Saxon letters were often referred to as runes. Runes were a writing system used by the Anglo-Saxons in early medieval England and Scandinavia. They were typically used to write in Old English and Old Norse languages. Runes were characterized by their angular shapes and were often carved into stone or wood. They held both practical and mystical significance in Anglo-Saxon culture, being used for communication as well as for divination and magical purposes.

An empire is a political entity comprised of multiple states or countries that are governed by a single monarch or sovereign state. The clue suggests that the Romans, Charlemagne, and Britain used to have such entities, indicating that the word being sought is "empire."

Women; torture and humiliation were often considered acceptable in the law and order systems of medieval Europe. This is because the shame mask and scold's bridle were specifically designed to punish women. These devices were used to publicly humiliate and silence women who were deemed to be disobedient or outspoken. It reflects the patriarchal society of the time, where women were subjected to harsh punishments for not conforming to societal norms.

The Vikings originated from Scandinavia. Scandinavia refers to the region in Northern Europe that includes the modern-day countries of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. The Vikings were seafaring people who were known for their exploration, raids, and trading activities during the Viking Age, which lasted from the late 8th century to the 11th century. They had a significant impact on the history and culture of Europe, and their influence can still be seen in various aspects today.

The correct answer is the French peasant girl, Joan of Arc, led the French army to victory over the English at Orleans, only to be burned as a "heretic". This answer is correct because it accurately describes the role and fate of Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years War. Joan of Arc, a young peasant girl, played a crucial role in leading the French army to a significant victory against the English at the Siege of Orleans. However, she was later captured by the English, accused of heresy, and ultimately burned at the stake.

The Vikings did not eat sugar, tomatoes, and potatoes. While they did consume grains like wheat, barley, and rye, as well as vegetables like onions, leeks, peas, and cabbage, they did not have access to sugar, tomatoes, and potatoes as these were introduced to Europe after the Viking Age. Additionally, the Vikings relied heavily on hunting and fishing for their meat sources, including wild boar, hare, and elk.

In the later Middle Ages, a stone castle had a great hall that served multiple purposes such as banquets, meetings, and even as a communal bedroom. The toilet in the castle often opened directly onto the moat. Until the introduction of gunpowder, stone castles were the most effective defensive measure for holding land. Castles were seen as symbols of wealth and power. Building castles was one of the methods used by William the Conqueror to consolidate his conquest of England.

The given answer accurately describes the structure in the picture as a motte and bailey castle. It explains that this type of fortification was relatively easy to build but also vulnerable to attack by fire.

The correct answer is that a serf was bonded to his/her master, had to work on the lord's land, and is sometimes described in modern accounts as a "semi-slave". This description accurately captures the essence of a serf's status and responsibilities during the medieval period. Serfs were legally tied to the land and were obligated to provide labor and other services to their lord. While not considered full slaves, they lacked many freedoms and were subject to the control of their master.

Punishments that lead to the death of the victim are called "capital" punishments. Hanging, drawing, and quartering is a specific example of a capital punishment, which involves a prolonged and brutal process of execution.

A picture of a scold's bridle that was used in the Middle Ages as a punishment for "nagging women" is a primary source because it is an actual artifact from the time period being studied. It provides direct evidence of the existence and use of scold's bridles in the Middle Ages, allowing researchers to draw conclusions based on firsthand information. The other options are all secondary sources, as they are interpretations or descriptions of events or objects rather than original, firsthand evidence.

In the feudal system, a king or lord would provide a fief to his vassals. A fief was a piece of land or estate that was granted to a vassal in exchange for their loyalty and military service. The vassals, in turn, would swear an oath of fealty to the king or lord and provide them with military support and other services. This system allowed the king or lord to maintain a loyal and powerful group of vassals who would serve and protect their interests.

The Hundred Years War was a series of battles between England and France, including those at Crécy, Poitiers, and Agincourt. Despite early English successes, the war ended with the French controlling nearly all French land. This explanation accurately describes the events and outcomes of the Hundred Years War, highlighting the major battles and the ultimate result of French control.

During the Black Death, it is believed that about a third of the European population succumbed to the disease. This pandemic, which occurred in the 14th century, resulted in a significant loss of life across Europe. The high mortality rate was due to the highly contagious nature of the disease and the lack of effective medical treatments at that time. The Black Death affected people from all social classes and not just specific groups such as the poor or the clergy.

The correct answer is the Tower of London; William the Conqueror; subjugating. The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror as one of his methods for subjugating the English people. It served as a symbol of his power and control over the city of London.

The bubonic plague was spread through the fleas on black rats because the fleas would bite the infected rats and then bite humans, transmitting the bacteria. On the other hand, the pneumonic plague was spread through the droplets of infected people, as the bacteria could be transmitted through respiratory droplets when infected individuals coughed or sneezed.

In AD 476, the Western Roman Empire finally fell. This date marks the end of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the Middle Ages in Europe. The fall of the empire was a result of various factors including economic decline, invasions by barbarian tribes, and internal political instability. The fall of the Western Roman Empire had significant implications for the history and development of Europe.

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The set of words "rotten, freckles, anger, mire" would be described in a dictionary as having originated from "Old Norse". Old Norse was a North Germanic language that was spoken by the inhabitants of Scandinavia during the Viking Age. These words are likely to have been borrowed from Old Norse and have remained in usage in the English language.