Though it's not as true today, we've traditionally looked to Medieval Europe to inspire our fantasy settings. And our fantasy settings tend to include a lot of war - because otherwise they wouldn't be very interesting, would they? However, we don't put much thought into how war and armies worked in Medieval Europe. So I'm… Continue reading How Did Medieval Civilians Become Soldiers?
Category: History
Did England Have A Constitution 100 Years Before America?
The US Constitution is often called the world's first 'modern' constitution. It was the first time a group of people came together and determined how they were going to be governed, rather than relying on centuries of tradition and due precedent. As Alexander Hamilton put it in the Federalist Papers: it was down to "the… Continue reading Did England Have A Constitution 100 Years Before America?
The Story of Piers Gaveston
There was once a king of England called Edward II. I've talked about him a lot before, but here are some things you ought to know about him. They thought he'd be a good king. He looked the part and he spoke well. Chroniclers say he was great at persuading people to his side, that… Continue reading The Story of Piers Gaveston
What Did The Anglo-Saxons Think Of The Romans?
The past's not new. For as long as people have been around, they've been thinking about the people who came before them. I find this very interesting. It's not something we really talk about often. I think it's a bit too meta for everyday contemplation. We like to wonder what life was like in the… Continue reading What Did The Anglo-Saxons Think Of The Romans?
When Edward II Saved His Wife From A Burning Tent
If you know a bit of English history, you know Edward II. He was the king who was killed by a red-hot poker being shoved up his behind. (Note: that almost certainly didn't happen.) He was a tyrant, he abused his power and was ultimately punished for it when his wife returned from the continent… Continue reading When Edward II Saved His Wife From A Burning Tent
Mount Testaccio, the Roman Landfill
The modern world has a big problem, doesn't it? Okay, no, not global warming, the other one. No, no, not the impending economic crisis. The OTHER ONE. Yes, that one. Plastic. We really backed ourselves into a corner with plastic, didn't we? We've made hundreds of thousands of tonnes of it. And for good reason:… Continue reading Mount Testaccio, the Roman Landfill
How England Manages Its Castles: A Success Story
In my last castle post I said I'd talk about how England's main castle custodian, English Heritage, actually works. Here we are! Enjoy! The UK government has been looking after 'important' ruins for a very long time. The National Trust, for instance, is Europe's largest conservationist charity and it was founded in the 1800s. But… Continue reading How England Manages Its Castles: A Success Story
Pontefract: The Key to The North
This post is part of my Grand Castle Tour! You can find articles on lots of other castles here! I just want to start this post by saying: don't get too excited. Pontefract castle ain't there anymore. We have the English Civil War to blame for that - the bane of medieval historians. It was… Continue reading Pontefract: The Key to The North
Barnard Castle: The Fortress Sold For Parts
The Normans, led by King William, conquered England in 1066. They took the south easily, but the north was another matter. William eventually acquiesced and allowed some powerful northern Anglo-Saxon lords to keep their power. For decades after 1066, the Anglo-Saxon northern lords were fair-weather vassals at best, and after several rebellions William acted to… Continue reading Barnard Castle: The Fortress Sold For Parts
Conwy: A French Castle In North Wales
Some of you really enjoyed my Conisbrough castle post. I was quite surprised, actually. But then, I suppose it makes sense that folks who love fantasy are also going to be interested in the minutiae of castles. So I'm back, and this time I'm here to tell you about Conwy castle, the French (Savoyard, specifically)… Continue reading Conwy: A French Castle In North Wales
Dewi Hargreaves 