History key terms

The Lakota name for the Black Hills, a region especially sacred to the Lakota Sioux.

A migrant from the Palatinate region of the German Rhine valley; the refugees arriving in England included both Protestants and Catholics.

The Palestinian governing body established through the Oslo process to exercise limited self-government in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip; also called the Palestinian Authority.

A strong wooden fence forming a defensive barrier.

A ceremonial band worn by an archbishop, granted by the pope as a sign of his religious authority.

An army unit recruited from men in the same community, workplace or social group, with the promise that they would serve together.

A short publication used to present arguments or spread ideas to a wide audience.

The belief that Arab peoples share an identity and should pursue political unity or solidarity across national borders.

A political outlook which argues that Arab peoples share a common identity and should cooperate or unite politically.

A religious festival held in Athens in honour of Athena, including competitions such as the torch race mentioned in Aristophanes’ Frogs.

An epidemic that spreads across many countries or continents.

The office and authority of the pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

An official document issued by the pope.

Special permission from the Pope to make an exception to a rule of Church law.

A representative authorised to act on the pope’s behalf. Wolsey became a papal legate in 1518, strengthening his authority over the English Church.

A representative appointed to act with the pope’s authority. Adhemar, Bishop of Le Puy, was appointed to represent Urban on the expedition.

The claim that the pope held supreme authority over the whole Christian Church.

The section of the German criminal code banning sexual relations between men, which the Nazis used to prosecute gay men.

An organisation structured and uniformed like a military force but separate from the regular armed forces.

An armed organisation outside the regular armed forces, organised along military lines.

Communal saving schemes in which members contributed money to a shared fund, giving them access to sums they could not easily obtain individually. Caribbean migrants used them to help afford housing.

Royal forgiveness of an offence, which could release an offender from its legal consequences.

A local area served by a church and its clergy.

An unpaid, part-time local official responsible for keeping order in a parish, normally serving for one year.

The agreement signed on 27 January 1973 intended to end fighting in Vietnam and secure the withdrawal of US forces.

The agreement signed on 27 January 1973 that provided for a ceasefire, US withdrawal and the return of American prisoners of war, but did not bring lasting peace to Vietnam.

The institution that debates and passes laws; in Britain, it includes the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside the monarch’s constitutional role.

A supporter of Parliament in its conflict with King Charles I during the English Civil War.

Supporters of Parliament in its conflict with Charles I.

The power of Parliament to participate in government and hold rulers to account.