Friday, March 29, 2024

Medieval History

The Middle Ages covers an enormous period ranging from the Roman Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity in 313 C.E., through the early medieval period known as the Dark Ages, to Martin Luther’s launching of the Protestant Reformation in 1517.
Battles and tournaments, feasts and festivals are all here, making up an exciting picture of the era we know as the Middle Ages.

The 14th Century Military Revolution

The nature of warfare changed in the 14th C as battles moved from being won by knights, to being won by the effective...

The Viking Expansion

Historians have theorized a number of factors contributing to the Viking expansion from the 8th to 11th centuries. Most historians place the onset of...

WIlliam Marshal, the Greatest Knight

William Marshal has been described as the greatest knight to have lived. His success on the field of battle and tournament is legendary. Many...

The Florence Baptistery

No building in Florence is nearly as iconic as the Baptistery of St. John, located in both the Piazza del Duomo and the Piazza...

Real-Life Origins of Vampire Myths

Before Twilight, before Dracula, vampires were common in folklore. Many of the traits known today are based on true stories of the supposed...

The Parish Church in Medieval Times

The medieval church was as much a part of the community as the market or baker’s shop. For those who practised Christianity, the church...

Swords, Kings, Knights and Warriors

Weapons with metal blades first came about as part of the "cutting edge technology" of the Bronze Age. Throughout Europe and Asia, men found...

Capital Crimes and Punishment – Medieval Execution Methods

Modern methods of execution have at times been referred to as "cruel and unusual punishment". This article reviews ancient and medieval execution methods. There...

Royal Authority in Visigothic Spain

The Visigoth Crown was dependent on the Spanish Church and the Visigoth Nobility for its Authority, a relationship that weakened the Crown and...

The Use of the Ass, Mule and Horse in Medieval Travel

Whether travelling singly, or in a group, the medieval traveller often used pack animals either to carry luggage, or to ride upon. The Ass as...