History key terms

The wealthiest and highest-status section of society, including aristocratic landowners and some wealthy industrialists.

An attempt to resist or overthrow an established ruler or government, often using force.

The campaign that sent millions of urban young people to rural areas for work and political re-education, also breaking up Red Guard networks.

The development of towns, including their buildings, commerce and organisation.

The buildings, streets, housing, shops and other physical features of towns and cities.

An increase in the proportion of a population living in towns and cities.

Charts that medieval physicians used to compare a patient's urine, especially its colour, with standard samples in order to diagnose an imbalance of the four humours.

The value of a source for answering a particular historical question.

A law officer appointed by the federal government who could appoint deputies and organise posses to pursue criminals.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, formed in 1922 as a union of republics under Communist rule.

An area governed by the United States that had not yet been admitted as a state.

A person accused of taking power without a rightful claim to it.

Lending money at interest; this practice was forbidden to Jewish lenders by Edward I’s Statute of the Jewry in 1275.

How useful a source is for answering a particular historical question.

A pilotless, jet-propelled flying bomb used against London from June 1944, nicknamed the ‘doodlebug’ or ‘buzz bomb’.

A ballistic missile used against London from September 1944. It travelled through the upper atmosphere before descending towards its target, giving civilians little warning.

Giving a preparation that stimulates protection against a disease. Jenner’s smallpox vaccination used material from cowpox sores rather than smallpox itself.

A Voluntary Aid Detachment: a unit of volunteers trained and organised by the Red Cross and St John Ambulance to support medical services. During the First World War, women volunteers undertook nursing support and other hospital duties.

Wandering without settled employment, often relying on begging; also called vagrancy. Early modern authorities increasingly treated it as criminal behaviour.

A historical label for moving from place to place without settled employment or a permanent home. Tudor authorities often associated it with disorder.

A person without a settled home or regular employment who moved from place to place, sometimes seeking work or begging; also called a vagabond.

In Norse belief, Odin’s ‘hall of the slain’, associated with warriors who died in battle.

The 1535 survey of Church wealth and income organised under Thomas Cromwell. Its Latin name means ‘Value of the Church’.

Beliefs about what is important or desirable, such as religious devotion, social status, loyalty or preserving historic buildings.

An elite Byzantine military force established around 988, including Scandinavian warriors, which served as the emperor’s personal bodyguard as well as fighting in campaigns.

A name used for Scandinavian traders and warriors active in eastern Europe, and later for warriors serving eastern rulers.

A lord’s dependent landholder, owing loyalty and service in return for land.

A court's decision that an accused person is guilty or innocent.

An everyday language spoken by a population, rather than a scholarly or religious language such as Latin.

The peace agreements made after the First World War with Germany and the other defeated powers, which changed borders and imposed military and financial terms.