The story of Raimondo de’ Cabanni, a former African slave who rose to become a knight, court insider, and landholder in 14th‑century Angevin Naples.
Medieval History
Scandinavia After the Vikings: Still a Power?
Scandinavia did not vanish after the Viking Age. Denmark, Norway, and Sweden stayed influential through crusades, trade, dynastic unions, and Baltic expansion.
What If Europe Had Copied Steppe Horse Archers?
What if medieval Europe had adopted steppe-style mounted horse archers? Three grounded scenarios explore how warfare, states, and empires might have changed.
5 Things Early Medieval Maps of Britain Get Wrong
What did Britain really look like in the early medieval period? Five big surprises from archaeology that rewrite the map of post-Roman Britain.
Why Was a Viking Woman Buried With Shells on Her Mouth?
A Viking Age woman was buried with scallop shells on her mouth. What could it mean? Three grounded what-if scenarios, from pilgrimage to fear of the dead.
Are Medieval Historians Just Making Stuff Up?
Medieval history can look like guesswork. Here are 5 real methods historians use to get from scraps of evidence to solid claims about the Middle Ages.
Did Medieval Armies Have Special Forces?
Medieval armies lacked modern commandos, but they did use scouts, raiders, sappers, and elite assault troops for risky, specialized missions. Here’s how they worked.
Why Charles VII Didn’t Save Joan of Arc
Charles VII owed his crown to Joan of Arc, yet he let her burn. This article compares their origins, methods, outcomes, and legacies to explain why he stayed silent.
Would Medieval Warhorses Really Trample People?
Did medieval cavalry horses actually run people down, or did they shy away? An explainer on horse instincts, training, and what cavalry charges really did.
What Medieval Royals Used as Toilet Paper
From straw to cotton cloth, here’s what medieval nobles and royals actually used to wipe in the 1300s, and why Henry IV’s cotton habit was unusual.