History key terms

Scottish supporters of a covenant, or agreement, defending their Protestant Church against Charles I’s religious changes.

A disease associated with cows that could infect humans, usually causing a much milder illness than smallpox. Jenner used it to provide protection against smallpox.

A settlement where cattle were gathered and sold before being transported by rail.

Skilled work that turns materials into useful or decorative objects.

A skilled worker who makes goods, such as wooden cups, metal tools or leather shoes.

The difference between government accounts of the Vietnam War and the events reported by journalists, which weakened public trust in official statements.

A moving curtain of artillery fire intended to protect infantry advancing close behind it.

An arrangement of ships in a curved line, with stronger ships protecting more vulnerable vessels within the fleet.

An offence that challenges the power of rulers or established institutions.

An offence involving taking or damaging possessions, such as theft.

An offence that harms or threatens an individual, such as assault or murder.

The number of crimes in a period relative to the size of the population, rather than simply the total number of offences.

A survey asking people living in households in England and Wales about their experiences of crime, including offences not reported to the police. It estimates trends for the population and offences it covers, not all crime.

A small rented agricultural holding in Scotland.

A small-scale farmer in the Scottish Highlands.

Changing the crops grown in a field over successive years. In the three-field system, crops and a fallow year rotated between the fields.

The monarch and the institutions of royal government, including their income, property and expenditure.

Government exercised directly under the authority of the British monarch and government, rather than through the East India Company.

A cross bearing a representation of Jesus Christ.

A religious military expedition authorised by the pope; the Third Crusade aimed to recover Jerusalem for Christian rule.

A person who committed to a religiously authorised expedition, represented by wearing a cross on their clothing.

Territories established and ruled by Christian lords after conquest during the crusades.

A commitment to defending and extending Christianity, which could motivate warfare and expansion.

A computed tomography scan: a technology that uses X-rays to produce detailed images of the inside of the body.

The Aztec ruler who led the defence of Tenochtitlan in 1521 and was captured on 13 August.

Body armour protecting the torso.

The worship of a deity through religious beliefs, ceremonies and practices.

The deliberate promotion of a leader as exceptionally wise, heroic and indispensable, encouraging personal loyalty to that leader.

An effect on shared practices and forms of expression, such as fashion, design, language or religion.

Behaviour that rejects officially approved cultural expectations, such as Nazi rules about music, dress or youth activities, without necessarily seeking to overthrow the government.