Question 1

Medieval cities

Accepted Answer

Medieval cities were often densely populated with narrow streets and limited open spaces. Buildings were generally tall with many stories and the skyline was dominated by the towers of important buildings such as churches, castles, and town halls. This is because in medieval times, height was a symbol of power and wealth.

Question 2

By 1100 charters of liberties granted townspeople such privileges as

Accepted Answer

Charters of liberties granted townspeople written urban law that guaranteed their freedom. Option A is incorrect because women still faced many restrictions on property rights. Option B is incorrect because serfs needed to have the permission of their lord to move to a city and become free. Option D is incorrect because training as a knight was a separate process outside of urban charters of liberties.

Question 3

Guilds were organizations of

Accepted Answer

Guilds were formed by artisans who shared a common trade or craft. They controlled almost every aspect of the production process and aimed to create a monopoly on the sale of their goods, ensuring quality and steady prices. They also provided training and support to their members.

Question 4

By the twelfth century, divorce among nobles was

Accepted Answer

By the twelfth century, the concept of marriage had evolved significantly within Christian Europe, with the Church playing a central role in its sanctification and regulation. Divorce, as understood today, was not possible under the Church's doctrine. Instead, the Church could declare a marriage null and void through an annulment if it was found that the marriage had never been valid according to canonical laws. This could be due to several reasons, such as consanguinity (being too closely related), lack of consent, or other impediments. This process did not dissolve a marriage but rather declared that a valid marriage had never taken place.

Question 5

The area that assumed a leading role in the revival of trade in the Middle Ages was

Accepted Answer

Italy, specifically the city-states of Venice, Florence, and Genoa, assumed a leading role in the revival of trade in the Middle Ages due to their strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea and their flourishing economies. These cities became centers for banking and commerce and were responsible for facilitating trade between Europe and the East.

Question 6

The high number of fights and accidents described in medieval court records may plausibly be attributed to

Accepted Answer

The high consumption of alcohol was a common factor in medieval society and likely contributed to the high number of fights and accidents described in court records. Alcohol consumption was often a part of social gatherings and celebrations, and excessive drinking could lead to violence and reckless behavior.

Question 7

The main part of the medieval castle was called the

Accepted Answer

The main part of a medieval castle was called the keep, also known as the donjon or stronghold. It was the central tower or building where the lord and his family resided, and it was usually the most heavily fortified part of the castle. The other options listed refer to other features of a castle, such as the motte (a raised mound), bailey (a courtyard), and moat (a defensive ditch filled with water).

Question 8

A major cause of pollution in medieval cities was

Accepted Answer

The smell and waste of animals and humans were major causes of pollution in medieval cities. Burning coal and the production of iron in urban smelters were not widespread practices in the medieval era, and the use of lead paint was not yet popular.

Question 9

To protect their interests against nobles, townspeople often formed

Accepted Answer

The answer of To protect their interests against nobles, townspeople...

Question 10

All of the following is true of the ideal of civilized behavior known as chivalry EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Chivalry was developed and shaped by the influence of the church, so option C is not true. The other options are all accurate descriptions of the ideals of chivalry.

Question 11

In the High Middle Ages, European society was dominated by the aristocracy, best described as

Accepted Answer

The High Middle Ages saw the rise of feudalism and the dominance of the aristocracy, who were primarily focused on warfare and the expansion of their territories.

Question 12

In medieval thought, women were considered

Accepted Answer

Medieval thought generally saw women as being subservient to men and subject to male authority. This was largely influenced by religious beliefs and the patriarchal values of the time. While women were respected in certain roles, such as motherhood or as saints, they were generally seen as inferior to men and not suited for leadership roles.

Question 13

On the whole, medieval cities tended to be

Accepted Answer

Medieval cities were typically ruled by an oligarchy of wealthy elites, rather than democratic communes or rural nobles. While some cities did have large populations, they were generally much smaller than modern cities, and their internal systems of government could be quite sophisticated.

Question 14

Merchant cities in northern Europe, frequently ending in "-burg" or "-borough", grew up in the 1100s around

Accepted Answer

The answer of Merchant cities in northern Europe, frequently ending...

Question 15

Marriages among the aristocracy of the High Middle Ages

Accepted Answer

Marriages among the aristocracy of the High Middle Ages were primarily arranged for political and financial purposes, in order to solidify alliances between families and increase their wealth. Love between bride and groom was not a significant factor in these marriages.

Question 16

All of the following were consequences of the revival of trade EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The revival of trade led to the development of a money economy, the establishment of trading companies and banking firms, the use of contracts and insurance, and the creation of new techniques such as double-entry bookkeeping. However, it did not result in the final abandonment of old Roman cities. In fact, some old cities were revitalized by the revival of trade, as they became important centers of commerce and trade once again.

Question 17

The center of the North Sea/Baltic trade route in northern Europe in the 1100s and 1200s, and an important center of woolen cloth production, was

Accepted Answer

Flanders was a region in northern Europe that was the center of the North Sea/Baltic trade route in the 1100s and 1200s. It was also an important center of woolen cloth production, which contributed to its economic prosperity.

Question 18

Combative tournaments involving knights

Accepted Answer

Combative tournaments involving knights were considered by knights to be excellent and necessary training for warfare. They provided a venue for knights to practice their skills in combat, and the experience gained was useful for actual battles. The church did not officially sanction tournaments until the 12th century, and they often included more than just the "melee" combat between two knights. Tournaments were not banned throughout Europe until the late Middle Ages and were popular in both England and on the continent.

Question 19

In northern European countries, the most common drink of the medieval peasant was

Accepted Answer

Ale was the most common drink of the medieval peasant in northern European countries due to the availability of grains and water for brewing, as well as the low cost and ease of production. Beer was also consumed, but it was predominantly consumed by the wealthier classes due to the higher cost of ingredients and production. Wine and cider were not as commonly consumed as they were primarily produced in regions with warmer climates and were therefore costly to import. Milk was a valuable resource and was typically reserved for children and for use in cheese-making.

Question 20

The most important six-times-a-year trade fair during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries was sponsored by the counts of

Accepted Answer

The most important six-times-a-year trade fair during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries was sponsored by the counts of Champagne. This fair was held in the town of Troyes and it attracted merchants from all over Europe.

Quiz 9: The Recovery and Growth of European Society in the High Middle Ages