History key terms

A privilege, such as the right to hold a court, which allowed its holder to exercise authority normally belonging to the king.

A grant permitting a building or wall to be fortified or provided with battlements. Such grants could also convey prestige and recognition from the ruler.

An attendant of a Roman magistrate who carried symbols of authority and could enforce orders, including arrest and punishment.

Attendants who accompanied and protected a Roman ruler; Romulus was traditionally assigned 12.

People’s everyday habits and activities, including what they eat, how they travel and how physically active they are.

An organised effort to encourage changes in everyday behaviour that reduce the risk of illness.

A habit, behaviour or aspect of daily life that affects health, such as smoking, diet or alcohol consumption.

A thread tied around a blood vessel to stop bleeding.

Industries making consumer goods for everyday use, such as clothing and household products.

A reason why evidence cannot fully answer a particular historical question.

Keeping a conflict restricted in its aims, geographical extent or weapons, rather than pursuing victory by every available means.

A rebellion beginning at Louth in October 1536 against religious changes and other grievances, which dispersed after Henry VIII demanded surrender and a royal army assembled.

A naval formation in which warships sail one behind another, allowing them to fire their side-mounted guns towards the enemy while maintaining an ordered formation.

An agreed boundary separating areas claimed by different powers.

The routes connecting an army with its supplies, reinforcements and bases.

The ability to read and write.

A reading or writing test used as a condition for voter registration. Southern officials used these tests unfairly to exclude Black voters.

Written accounts used to investigate the past, including histories that may have been composed long after the events they describe.

Written evidence from the past, including histories, biographies, letters and poems. Its usefulness depends partly on the author's knowledge, purpose, audience and choice of language.

A collection of quotations from Mao Zedong’s speeches and writings, used to spread his ideas and encourage loyalty to him.

The wartime wage policy established in July 1942 that generally limited increases in hourly wage rates to 15 per cent above their January 1941 level, subject to adjustments and exceptions.

The prayers and rituals regularly performed by a religious community.

The senior membership of a City of London livery company, distinct from ordinary membership.

The everyday circumstances in which people live, including their housing, food, water supply and arrangements for disposing of waste.

The conditions in which people live, including their housing, material comforts and ability to afford necessities.

A Roman historian whose History of Rome gives a detailed narrative of the Second Punic War, written long after the events it describes.

The regional states of Germany, which had their own parliaments before Nazi centralisation.

Organised efforts to persuade politicians to support a particular policy or law.

Town authorities, such as mayors and councils, responsible for making and enforcing local rules.

The importance of a place to its surrounding community or area.