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Medieval Words and Terms Trivia Quiz

The first five questions will describe something, and you choose its correct medieval name. The last five questions will give a medieval term, and you select the correct description.

A multiple-choice quiz by carol1944. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
carol1944

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
94,225

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
6081

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 81 (8/10), kjshear (10/10), em1958 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. A hairpiece worn by both noble and common women, it is very like a hair net. Nobles might have had gems or decorations set into them. What is it? Hint

Snood

Cupa

Qalansuwa

Wimple

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. A monastic community of either monks or nuns who owed some form of feudal obligation to a lord or lady or higher organization. What is it? Hint

Cloister

Church

Abbey

Refectory

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. A peasant who works his lord's lands (and is subject to his jurisdiction) in return for the use of small plot of land. Who is it? Hint

Tenant

Peon

Serf

Steward

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Clergymen could grant a fugitive protection from justice, provided the fugitive had come to the church asking for protection. What is it? Hint

Sanctimony

Sanctuary

Usury

Regalia

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. What is the commonly used (though, strictly speaking, inaccurate) modern term for a monastery for women? Hint

Convent

Chattel

Chapel

Sacristy

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What is a ballista? Hint

A siege weapon

A shot put

A longbow

A bolt

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. What was a steward? Hint

The lord's personal spy

The man responsible for running the kitchens

The man responsible for the day to day affairs of the lord's lands

The lord's personal bodyguard

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. What was a minstrel? Hint

A type of soup

A physician

A clergyman

A singer or poet

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What is a barrow? Hint

To steal

An earthen burial mound

To loan out

A small brick chamber

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. What was a tithe? Hint

A tax to support the church

A tax to support local military

Someone put in jail for lying

A small holding of land

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 20 2024 : Guest 81: 8/10
Dec 18 2024 : kjshear: 10/10
Dec 18 2024 : em1958: 10/10
Dec 14 2024 : Duckay: 9/10
Dec 11 2024 : herma1504: 5/10
Nov 28 2024 : Mpproch: 9/10
Nov 26 2024 : forus919: 6/10
Nov 25 2024 : Guest 141: 4/10
Nov 24 2024 : SatchelPooch: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A hairpiece worn by both noble and common women, it is very like a hair net. Nobles might have had gems or decorations set into them. What is it?

Answer: Snood

A Qalansuwa is a high, conical cap worn by men. A Cupa is a large vat, or cask. Wimples where head pieces worn by low born women, a simple cloth head covering to keep the hair back and covered.

2. A monastic community of either monks or nuns who owed some form of feudal obligation to a lord or lady or higher organization. What is it?

Answer: Abbey

They were self contained units, with most basic functions performed by their residents, and most of their needs supplied locally.

3. A peasant who works his lord's lands (and is subject to his jurisdiction) in return for the use of small plot of land. Who is it?

Answer: Serf

Also known as villeins (from French), boors (from Old English), knaves (also from Old English). Serfs lived and worked on the land or their lord.

4. Clergymen could grant a fugitive protection from justice, provided the fugitive had come to the church asking for protection. What is it?

Answer: Sanctuary

After sanctuary was granted the fugitive could not be arrested for 40 days. Fugitives who were granted sanctuary then either had to give themselves up or pledge on oath never to return to the realm. They are then given ten days to leave the realm. (The details varied from place to place and over time).

5. What is the commonly used (though, strictly speaking, inaccurate) modern term for a monastery for women?

Answer: Convent

Also sometimes known as a nunnery. However, in the Middle Ages, the modern popular, gender-based distinction between monasteries and convents was unknown. A 'convent' referred to a house of friars and others who exercised their calling in the secular world, while the word 'monastery' was used for houses of the more traditional orders.

6. What is a ballista?

Answer: A siege weapon

Ballistas were often like very large cross bows, usually operated by more than one man.

7. What was a steward?

Answer: The man responsible for the day to day affairs of the lord's lands

Stewards were often in charge of more than one estate or property, and saw to the daily affairs of all the lord's holdings.

8. What was a minstrel?

Answer: A singer or poet

Minstrels lived and traveled off assignments and dispensations of the wealthy.

9. What is a barrow?

Answer: An earthen burial mound

Often used in Ireland.

10. What was a tithe?

Answer: A tax to support the church

The tax was usually ten percent of each household's yearly income. Payment was compulsory under the ordinary laws of the land.

Source: Author carol1944

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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