The Invention of the Stirrup: A Revolution on Horseback
Few inventions have so quietly yet profoundly altered the course of human history as the…
The Rule of the Harlots: A Turbulent Chapter in Papal History
The “Rule of the Harlots,” also known as the Saeculum obscurum or Pornocracy, marks one of the…
The King-Makers Behind the Frankish Throne
The “mayor of the palace” began as the chief steward of the royal Frankish household….
Empress Zoë: The Perfumed Sovereign of Byzantium
For over two decades, Zoë Porphyrogenita wielded power through strategic marriages, court intrigue, and an…
Sitriuc Silkbeard: The Norse King Who Made Dublin A Great City
Origins and Dynasty Sitriuc Silkbeard, also known as Sigtrygg II Silkbeard Olafsson, was born around…
Rome Burned, Emperors Died. But the Senate Kept Meeting
By the late fourth century AD, the Roman Senate – once the ruling heart of…
The Clever Political Manoeuvre That Won The Pope A Kingdom
The year 754 CE marked a crucial moment in Dark Ages European history, as it…
A Crown for Sale? This Empire Went to the Highest Bidder!
For nearly a millennium, the Holy Roman Empire’s imperial elections combined ritual, bribery, and dynastic…
Archbishop Thomas Becket: the Most Infamous Murder in Medieval England
The assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral on December 29, 1170, was a…
The Death and Rebirth of the Language of the Roman Empire
By the end of the 5th century AD, Latin – the language used for the…
The Founding Of One Of The Medieval World’s Greatest Cities
Cairo, the bustling capital of modern Egypt, traces its origins to 969 CE when it…
12th Century King Accidentally Creates Legal System Used by Half the World
Before Henry II’s reign, justice in England was a patchwork affair. In the middle of…
Rum: The Thorn in the Side of the Byzantine Empire
The Sultanate of Rum, a medieval Sunni Muslim state, played a pivotal role in shaping…
The Real Last Kingdom: The True Story Behind Uhtred of Bebbanburg
The Real Last Kingdom: The True Story Behind Uhtred of Bebbanburg Fans of Bernard Cornwell’s…
The Game of Kings: How Chess Became the Ultimate Symbol of Power
The history of chess spans nearly 1,500 years, with its origins tracing back to ancient…
