Deck 11: Innovation and Adaptation in the Western Christian World, 600-1450 C.E

Question 1

All of the following are indications of new intellectual trends from the eleventh century through the fourteenth century, EXCEPT:

A) Leadership of the Church was increasingly taken on by councils of bishops.
B) Abandonment of the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle in favor of a literal interpretation of scripture.
C) Challenges to Church dogma such as those by John Wycliffe and John Huss.
D) Increasing literary expression in the vernacular (language of the people, such as Italian or French) instead of Latin.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Representative assemblies developed in two areas:

A) The Estates-General established in France under Louis IX and the Parliament established in England under Richard III.
B) The Estates-General established in France by Philip IV and the Parliament established in England during the reign of John.
C) The Parliament established in 11th-century Hungary and the General Estates in 14th-century Germany.
D) Congresses developed in England and France after the example of the American Continental Congress.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Pope Gregory I did all of the following EXCEPT:

A) He sent a group of monks to Britain to aggressively promote the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity.
B) He recalled St. Boniface to Rome for his failure to convert the Irish.
C) He encouraged the conversion of the German kings to Christianity.
D) His actions contributed to the increasing independence of Latin Christendom from the Eastern Church at Constantinople.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

All of the following were true of medieval Jews EXCEPT:

A) They sometimes served as diplomats or bankers.
B) They lived in integrated neighborhoods among non-Jews in most European cities.
C) As a group, they developed a wide knowledge of geography and languages.
D) Violence against them increased steadily between 1096 and the early 1400s.

Question 5

The Fourth Crusade is notable because:

A) The knights wanted to ride the land route and avoid all sea travel.
B) It consisted primarily of Spanish and English knights.
C) Prince William IV, who led the crusade, became ill and died before they left Europe, and the leaderless army wandered into Russia.
D) The crusaders attacked another Christian city, so angering the pope that he excommunicated the entire army.

Question 6

St. Thomas Aquinas:

A) Argued, in his Summa Theologica, that it was possible to compromise between or to synthesize faith and reason.
B) Believed that human reason was too imperfect to understand evidence of God's existence.
C) Believed that Aristotle, a pagan, could add nothing to human understanding of the divine will.
D) Was captured and castrated by the uncle and other relatives of a young woman with whom he had become involved.

Question 7

The founder of the Merovingian dynasty was:

A) Otto I
B) Clovis
C) Charlemagne
D) Charles Martel

Question 8

The following order of events is correct:

A) Magna Carta, England; St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica; Foundation charter of the University of Paris; Council of Constance.
B) St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica; Foundation charter of the University of Paris; Council of Constance; Magna Carta, England.
C) Foundation charter of the University of Paris; Magna Carta, England; St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica; Council of Constance.
D) Council of Constance; Magna Carta, England; St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica; Foundation charter of the University of Paris.

Question 9

All of the following contributed to cross-Mediterranean trade and commerce EXCEPT:

A) Innovations suggested by observation of Islamic and Byzantine merchants.
B) Improvements in astrological tables.
C) Stern-mounted rudders, in use as early as 1180.
D) The lateen sail, adapted from those used by Muslim sailors.

Question 10

All of the following are true of the Hundred Years' War EXCEPT:

A) It lasted (with a few breaks) from 1337-1453, spanning a period of roughly 116 years.
B) In one phase, a young peasant girl led the French to an astonishing victory.
C) Since it was fought primarily on French soil, it caused no harm to the English.
D) It contributed to religious, economic, and political instability across Western Europe.

Question 11

Charlemagne's empire did not long survive his death for several reasons, including all of the following EXCEPT:

A) It was plagued with external wars and internal strife.
B) The Pope withdrew his support for the resulting kingdoms and principalities as punishment for disobedience.
C) Charlemagne's eldest son, Louis the Pious, divided the empire among his three sons, reducing the strength of each.
D) The Norsemen began marauding the coastlines and navigable rivers, the Magyar horsemen terrorized East Frankland, and the French coast of the Mediterranean was vulnerable to Muslim pirates.

Question 12

During the period between the ninth century and the year 1300:

A) There was a period of chaos, out of which grew a new model of well-run, centralized governments.
B) A series of strong men tried to consolidate power in specific areas, but they were never successful.
C) Germany and Italy were able to consolidate power and develop strong central governments.
D) France and England each tried to consolidate power in their respective realms, but were not able to do so until much later.

Question 13

Which of the below correctly identifies the "liberal arts" as taught in the monasteries?

A) Reading, Latin, arithmetic, chemistry, engineering, music, and astrology.
B) Grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy.
C) Calligraphy, philosophy, mathematics, geology, geometry, music, and astrology.
D) Aristotelian philosophy, arithmetic, solid geometry, architecture, algebra, literature, and music.

Question 14

The need for reform of the Western Church during the period 1000 to 1300 seems to have arisen:

A) From the nobility exercising too much control over the appointment of priests.
B) Primarily in urban parishes at first.
C) Largely from the commercialization of monasteries.
D) From a long period of decentralization and decline of learning.

Question 15

All of the following contributed to a more advantageous economic atmosphere in Europe after 1000 EXCEPT:

A) An increasing population, based on improvements in the European diet.
B) An increasing demand for consumer goods.
C) A greater supply of trade items that were in high demand across Asia.
D) More efficient watermills.

Question 16

The following issues can be considered a part of the inspiration for the Crusades EXCEPT:

A) A new wave of Christian enthusiasm sweeping across Europe.
B) An attempt to protect European trade routes to southeastern Asia.
C) A perception that Muslim control was vulnerable because of squabbling between factions.
D) A drive to reconquer lands that had been lost to Muslim armies in the eighth century.

Question 17

Some of the changes of the eleventh and twelfth centuries included:

A) The abandonment of urban life, in reaction to the Black Death.
B) The growth of barter as a means of exchange.
C) The appearance of the military as a new social class.
D) The strengthening of the feudal economy, as the use of coinage diminished.

Question 18

Problems faced by fourteenth-century Europeans included all of the following EXCEPT:

A) Muslim invasions.
B) Dramatic climate change.
C) The Black Death.
D) A shortage of arable land, leading to famine.

Question 19

The "investiture controversy" was:

A) A petition condemning the luxurious living conditions of bishops and cardinals.
B) A power struggle between popes and emperors.
C) A disagreement about the rule of clerical celibacy.
D) A treatise vesting the pope with the right to excommunicate kings.

Question 20

Scholasticism was:

A) A drive to encourage young aristocrats to attend universities, such as the University of Paris.
B) A field of study that focused on astrophysics, philosophy, and Christian theology.
C) A medieval method of determining theological and philosophical truth by using Aristotelian logic.
D) A technique of learning derived from application of the Socratic dialectic.

Question 21

All of the following innovations contributed to the revitalization of European economy during the fifteenth century EXCEPT:

A) Smaller markets, bringing about increased competition among merchants.
B) New accounting techniques such as double-entry bookkeeping.
C) The introduction of insurance for maritime ventures.
D) An increased demand in India and Asia for European manufactures.

Question 22

The following order of events is correct:

A) Gregory I's papacy; Reign of Charlemagne; Crusades to the Holy Land; Black Death.
B) Crusades to the Holy Land; Black Death; Gregory I's papacy; Reign of Charlemagne.
C) Reign of Charlemagne; Crusades to the Holy Land; Black Death; Gregory I's papacy.
D) Black Death; Reign of Charlemagne; Crusades to the Holy Land; Gregory I's papacy.

Question 23

Pope Gregory I is credited with all of the following EXCEPT:

A) Making the papacy powerful in Western Europe.
B) Dispensing with papal armies and military retainers.
C) Laying the foundation for the Papal States in Italy.
D) Establishing friendly relations with Frankish kings in order to strengthen both the Church and the developing Frankish kingdom.

Question 24

Regarding Charlemagne's general policies and political preferences, all of the following are valid EXCEPT:

A) He represented the first full synthesis of Roman, Germanic, and Christian cultural elements.
B) He forged a unified Christian empire and raised the status of western Europe.
C) He was able to severely limit the Church's influence so they could not pull political power from him.
D) His imperial status was recognized by the Abbasid caliph in Baghdad, Harun al-Rashid.

Question 25

All of the following is true of the Benedictine monasteries EXCEPT:

A) Their model was established by St. Benedict.
B) The guidelines govern such matters as the times for rising, praying, eating, and retiring.
C) They were supported by offerings from the peasants around them in exchange for their prayers for a bountiful harvest.
D) They were overseen by an abbot and regulated by a series of "offices."

Question 26

The following statements are true of feudalism EXCEPT:

A) While the term describes a practice or groups of similar practices, it has no underlying philosophy which would allow it to be considered a true "system."
B) It provided security at the local level in the absence of central government.
C) Its hierarchal structure set Europe on the path toward well-organized kingdoms, headed by a monarch, supported by aristocrats who governed peasants.
D) Feudal organization was more frequent and commonplace in southern Europe than in France or Germany.

Question 27

In 596, Pope Gregory I dispatched a group of monks under the leadership of Augustine to __________.

A) Convert the Anglo-Saxons of southern England.
B) Eradicate institutionalized slavery in Christian England.
C) Represent church interests in the dispute between King Henry II and Thomas Becket.
D) Launch a missionary effort in pagan-dominated Ireland.

Question 28

In the early medieval period, the concept of Latin Christendom provided a common identity for those living under the primacy of the ________________.

A) Frankish king
B) Holy Roman Emperor
C) Pope
D) Byzantine Emperor

Question 29

At some point in his reign, perhaps in 498, ____________ adopted ('orthodox') Christianity, which gave him the backing of Christian bishops in Gaul.

A) Pepin 'the Short'
B) Clovis
C) Merovech
D) Boniface

Question 30

As a result of _____________ in 732, Charles Martel, 'the Hammer', emerged as not only the most powerful man in Frankland but also the leader of the most powerful force in Latin Christendom.

A) Leading an expedition to recover Jerusalem from the Muslims
B) Instituting new metallurgical and tool-making skills among the Franks
C) Deposing the last Merovingian king
D) Defeating advancing Muslim armies at the Battle of Tours

Question 31

The 'trivium' that formed the foundation for the 'liberal arts' included all of the following except:

A) Arithmetic
B) Logic
C) Grammar
D) Rhetoric

Question 32

Key to Charlemagne's effort of educational reform was the appointment of Alcuin of ______________ as master of the palace school.

A) Aachen
B) Baghdad
C) York
D) Jarrow

Question 33

Relationships between lords and vassals were maintained by all of the following except:

A) Grants of land to the vassals, known as fiefs.
B) Concepts of loyalty and honor.
C) An understanding of hierarchy, with the king at its apex.
D) Arbiters drawn from the class of urban merchants, when disputes arose.

Question 34

Henry II of England reformed the judicial system by making his royal courts the _____________.

A) Only ones that could call on the services of jurors.
B) Subordinates of courts convened by bishops.
C) Final courts of appeal.
D) Elected representatives of the three social 'estates'.

Question 35

In gratitude for his putting down disturbances and protests against the church in the 10th century, Otto I of Saxony was proclaimed '__________' by Pope John XII.

A) Defender of the Faith
B) Emperor of the Romans
C) Holders of the Keys of St. Peter
D) King of the Germans

Question 36

Windmill technology, borrowed from _________ during the twelfth century, helped significantly to increase food production in medieval Europe.

A) Islamic Iran
B) Song China
C) Ancient Romans
D) Muslim Spain

Question 37

Due to its borrowing of the Muslim lateen, a(n) ______________, Italian ships were able to sail into the westerly winds that had previously prevented their sailing through the Straits of Gibraltar into the Atlantic Ocean.

A) Iron plate firmly mounted to the ship's stern
B) Magnetic compass
C) Narrower and more swift-moving vessel
D) Front-mounted triangular sail

Question 38

The largest cities in medieval Europe could be found in _________.

A) The ports-of-call for the Hanseatic League
B) Southern England
C) The Low Countries
D) Northern Italy

Question 39

The designation of time Anno Domini ('in the year of the Lord') was introduced by the Roman monk Dionysius Exiguus in (A.D.) __________ but popularized during Charlemagne's reign.

A) 800
B) 532
C) 325
D) 33

Question 40

The dispute between St. Anselm and Peter Abelard hinged on whether:

A) One must be consecrated by the church in order to be a university professor.
B) Women could be educated in the formal precincts of a university.
C) Understanding a concept is necessary for belief in it.
D) God's existence can be proven from reading Aristotle's Metaphysics.

Question 41

In the fourteenth century, the 'Calculators' of the University of Oxford argued that:

A) Objects of different weights fall at a uniform level of acceleration.
B) There was no such thing as a vacuum in space, in spite of Aristotle's claims.
C) 'Arabic' numerals were more useful in establishing valid calculations than Roman numerals.
D) Aristotle's treatises had been so badly translated from Arabic documents that they were impossible to decipher.

Question 42

In Gothic architecture, pointed arches, which allowed for soaring church naves, were _________.

A) Despite being prone to collapse during the construction process
B) Originally sketched out in a treatise by Abbot Suger
C) Flattened out over a distance of 100 feet on average
D) Copied from Islamic architecture through contact with Sicily

Question 43

John Wycliffe was famous for doing all of the following except:

A) Overseeing a translation of the Bible into Middle English.
B) Advocating the papacy's relocation to Avignon in 1305.
C) Railing against the wealth and abuses of the higher clergy.
D) Challenging church doctrine on sacraments like the Eucharist.

Question 44

Boccaccio's Decameron was:

A) Composed in Latin, in emulation of ancient Roman models.
B) Created in the 13th century, just when new forms of literature were being introduced.
C) Inspired by Petronius's Satyricon.
D) Cited by Dante as an example of literature that could be found in various circles of Hell.

Question 45

The 'Cathars', or '_________', rejected orthodox church doctrines and the sacraments of Eucharist and baptism, while also railing against the abuses of the clergy.

A) Pure Ones
B) Poor Ones
C) Free Lovers
D) Fire Lovers

Question 46

When he was informed of the existence and the beliefs of the Cathars, Pope Innocent III _____________.

A) Formed them into a new religious order of 'friars' ('brothers').
B) Sent them on a crusade against the Orthodox Christians in Constantinople.
C) Incorporated them into Cluniac monasteries and encouraged them to devote themselves to "God's work".
D) Ordered a crusade against them that was brutal, even by medieval standards.

Question 47

During the coronation of Pepin III 'the Short', the pope included the ceremony of unction (used earlier by the Visigoths), in which the newly crowned person was ______________.

A) Declared the Holy Roman Emperor
B) Converted to Orthodox Christianity
C) Allowed to drink the sacramental wine
D) Anointed with holy oil

Question 48

The model for monastic life was established by St. _________ (ca. 480-543), whose Holy Rule governed the rhythms and rituals of a monk's day.

A) Augustine
B) Benedict
C) Gregory
D) Dominic

Question 49

Feudalism consisted of powerful landed aristocrats (lords) who assembled small private armies consisting of dependents (___________) in order to meet military emergencies.

A) Serfs
B) Fiefs
C) Vassals
D) Minuscules

Question 50

Manorialism was primarily a(n) __________ system that came to dominate medieval life in the wake of the Carolingian empire's collapse.

A) Military and economic
B) Political and military
C) Economic and social
D) Religious and educational

Question 51

All territories within France controlled directly by the king, as in the case of the lands controlled by Hugh Capet between 987 and 996 were called his ___________.

A) Seigneurie
B) Demesne
C) Province
D) Duchy

Question 52

In 1295, King Edward I convened the so-called Model _________, comprised of an upper house of nobles and a lower house of 'knights of the shires and burgesses of the towns'.

A) Estates-General
B) Convention
C) Concordat
D) Parliament

Question 53

The medieval economy profited from several innovative financial and legal instruments, like the commenda, which were devised to facilitate ____________.

A) Long-distance trade
B) New agricultural technologies on manors
C) The king's acquisition of new estates
D) The payment of crusaders in the Holy Land

Question 54

Comprised of merchants and artisans who lived in 'burghs' (or _________) the bourgeoisie made their livings from producing and selling goods for commercial exchange.

A) Castles
B) Monasteries
C) Cities
D) Cooperative farms

Question 55

________ were associations of merchants and artisans intended to protect and promote affairs of common interest.

A) Manors
B) Wergilds
C) Fiefs
D) Guilds

Question 56

After many full-scale assaults and episodes of mob violence against Jewish communities, England expelled Jewish people in __________.

A) 1492
B) 1290
C) 1066
D) 1144

Question 57

The 'investiture controversy' erupted between Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV over the issue of:

A) The appointment of clergy members.
B) The rate of church investment in imperial properties.
C) The vestments worn by members of the church hierarchy.
D) The vestiges of pagan culture in books that were sanctioned by the emperor.

Question 58

The real breakthrough in the Christian 'reconquest' of Spain occurred in 1085 when ______ was liberated from Muslim control, resulting in almost half of the country returning to Christians.

A) Madrid
B) Majorca
C) Granada
D) Toledo

Question 59

In spite of an excommunication pronounced by Pope Innocent III, crusaders from _______ plundered Constantinople in 1204.

A) Florence
B) Zara
C) Naples
D) Venice

Question 60

In spite of the innovative nature of scholasticism, the Aristotelian logic upon which it was based was suspected of being:

A) Incomplete when compared with Islamic medical technology.
B) Incompatible with Christian doctrine.
C) Intelligible only to those who could read the original Greek.
D) Inconsistent with dominant Neo-Platonic philosophy.

Question 61

The first attempt to open up gloomy Romanesque interiors-and an early expression of the new Gothic style-was made at the abbey church of St. Denis near ________ in 1144 under the guidance of Abbot Suger.

A) Paris
B) Canterbury
C) Ravenna
D) Aachen

Question 62

All of the following rebellions resulted from the Black Death except the:

A) Jacquerie
B) Peasants' Revolt
C) Ciompi
D) Magna Chartists

Question 63

Joan of Arc's victory at Orleans in _________ inspired the French to one success after another (even though Joan was burned at the stake two years later).

A) 1346
B) 1415
C) 1429
D) 1453

Question 64

The Hanseatic League was a trade network of allied ports along the North and ______ Sea coasts, founded in 1256.

A) Baltic
B) Black
C) Mediterranean
D) Irish

Question 65

Education in the 'vernacular' language was especially popular in the city-states of _________, where the emphasis was on educating students for productive careers in the secular world.

A) Southern France
B) Eastern Germany
C) Central England
D) Northern Italy

Question 66

The "Crusade of the Three Kings" was led by:

A) Bernard I of Clairvaux, King Louis IX of France, and Gustav VI of Norway.
B) Frederick I of Germany, Philip II of France, and Richard I of England.
C) Holy Roman Emperor William I, Louis V of France, and George II of England.
D) Philip II of France, George II of England, and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II.