Medieval History » Archive for July 2009
War Of The Roses: Part 2
When we left off with Part 1 of The War of the Roses, Henry IV had supplanted Richard II and made himself King through both solid administration and military prowess. Henry IV had a son, Henry V, who maintained the realm through the same means as his father. Henry V was best known for being a great soldier and his military successes against France in the Hundred Years’ War. This gained him enormous popularity throughout medieval war … Read entire article »
Filed under: Medieval History, War History, War of the Roses
Medieval Map Shows America May Be Real
Take that, Columbus! Honestly, any news that discredits Columbus in any way is good news to me! This map was first discovered in the 1950s, bound to an authentic Medieval History of the Mongol invasions. First thoughts and tests led scholars to believe that the map was a forgery, but recent tests prove otherwise. “All the tests that we have done over the past five years — on the materials and other aspects — do not … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Medieval History
15th Century Peruvians Sacrificed to El Niño
I know this isn’t “medieval” history in the traditional sense, but at least the time period is close. This news isn’t too crazy when you think of what the Aztecs and Mayans were doing at the same time. A body of a 20-year-old Chimu female was found at the Chan Chan archeological complex and appeared to have been buried alive. Her feet were amputated, and her positioning suggests that she was struggling against fabric tied … Read entire article »
Filed under: Non European
Happy Birthday, John Calvin!
500 years ago, on July 10 in the year 1509, John Calvin was born in Noyon, Picardy, France. John Calvin (10 July 1509 – 27 May 1564), né Jean Cauvin, was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system of Christian theology later called Calvinism. Originally trained as a humanist lawyer, he suddenly broke from the Roman Catholic Church in the 1520s. After … Read entire article »
Filed under: The Reformation
The Plague Resource
I am feeling a little sick today, so I felt this topic was fitting. I stumbled upon this great resource for contemporary study of the Plague, which also contains a lot of great medieval information in general. Enjoy! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, The Great Plague
Crusades: Part 1
In Chronicles of the Crusades, Elizabeth Hallam writes, “The Crusades were the long-term result of the rise of Islam.” The Crusades were fought over a 200-year period between 1095 and 1291. The aim of the Crusades was to regain and protect Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim expansion and rule. It started with a call for help by the Byzantines to put an end to the Turkish expansion into Anatolia. What began as a seemingly isolated border dispute became, over the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Crusades, War History
11th Century Remains Found in Cambridge University
It is still amazing how often things like this keep appearing in the news. The items found during a recent archaeological dig in Cambridge include Roman Pottery and other Anglo-Saxon remains. Richard Newman of the Cambridge Archaeological Unit said: “The site has enabled us to prove what we previously had no proof for – that by the time of the Norman Conquest there was a thriving settlement in the middle of Cambridge.” The dig has reached what would … Read entire article »
Filed under: Archaeology, Medieval History
Medieval Medicine
Evidence found at the ancient Soutra Hospital site, in Scotland, suggests the medieval Augustine monks also knew how to amputate limbs, fashion surgical instruments, induce birth, stop scurvy and even create hangover cures. One of the exciting finds was of the abundance of hemlock in the drains. Scientists think the monks had used this as a painkiller before carrying out amputations. Disease and death were a very real part of daily life in the medieval world. It is … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Medieval History, Medieval People
Edward, the Black Prince
My previous post on the War of the Roses made me want to go a little further back in time, so I chose to do a little more research on Edward Prince of Wales or, more recently, “‘The Black Prince.” I have to sorrowfully admit it was the catchy name that, well, caught my attention. Much to my disappointment, however, it is highly unlikely that Edward was ever referred to as The Black Prince during his lifetime. The … Read entire article »
Filed under: Medieval History, Medieval People, War of the Roses
Ancient Cornish Castle Damaged by Vandals (21st Century Vandals, Not the Other Ones)
Anger! I’d give my left foot to get a look at this castle in person. Well, okay, maybe my left hand, because I’d still like to be able to comfortably walk around it, but I digress! The BBC reports: “The offenders struck in the early hours of Sunday and pulled a number of large stones from the wall of the Great Hall at Launceston Castle. English Heritage, which maintains and runs the castle on behalf of the Duchy of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Medieval History