History key terms

A private accusation of a serious crime brought against another person; in medieval law, this did not mean a modern request to reconsider a court decision.

A policy of making concessions to an aggressive power in the hope of avoiding war.

A trainee who learnt a skilled trade by working under a master craftsman.

Training in which a young person learns a trade by working with an experienced craftsperson.

Lenin's programme announced in April 1917, calling for opposition to the Provisional Government, an end to the war and the transfer of power to the soviets.

An engineered channel or system that carries water from its source to where it is needed.

An association of Arab states that sought cooperation and coordinated policies, including their response to Israel.

Farming that produces crops rather than primarily raising animals.

Land suitable for growing crops.

Government in which a ruler exercises power without effective legal or parliamentary restraint.

The exercise of authority according to a ruler’s personal wishes rather than fair, consistent rules or accepted customs.

Settling a dispute by referring it to an independent third party for a decision rather than using force.

Physical remains of the past, such as buildings, statues and pottery, used to investigate historical societies.

The study of the past through physical remains, such as buildings, objects and human waste.

A senior bishop with authority over other bishops; Canterbury and York were England’s two archbishoprics.

England's senior archbishop, whose position carried both religious authority and political influence.

A Church official below a bishop who supervised parish priests and helped enforce discipline within a diocese.

A soldier who uses a bow to shoot arrows at an enemy.

The opening phase of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta and their allies, which began in 431 BC.

A drawing showing the intended arrangement or design of a building, often viewed from above and drawn to a stated scale.

One of the chief magistrates of Athens, holding an established public office with governmental, religious or judicial responsibilities.

Athenian magistrates whose responsibilities included judicial administration and religious duties; the singular is archon.

An Athenian council of former archons whose political authority was reduced by democratic reforms.

The powerful upper ranks of society, including earls, archbishops and some larger thegns in Anglo-Saxon England.

An Athenian playwright whose comedies mocked political leaders, public behaviour and cultural life.

A fleet of armed ships. The Spanish Armada was the fleet sent by Philip II against England in 1588.

Weapons, ammunition and military equipment produced for armed forces.

An agreement to stop fighting; it does not necessarily settle the conflict or constitute a peace treaty.

Agreements or measures that restrict the development, testing, deployment or spread of weapons, without necessarily eliminating them.

A prohibition on supplying weapons and military equipment to a country.