The 15th century began on January 1, 1401, and ended on December 31, 1500.
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19 views
When was the Western Facade on the Sant Andrea Basilica by Alberti constructed?
I've found conflicting answers on other website and was wondering if anyone knows.
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1answer
68 views
Could Columbus have suspected the New World lay on his path to India? [closed]
According to most historical textbooks Columbus made mistakes while measuring the size of the Earth. This led him to believe, that he can travel to India westwards in a reasonable time. This is ...
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0answers
74 views
Horace Walpole on Richard III
Thus reads Wikipedia:
In Historic Doubts on the Life and Reign of King Richard III (1768),
Walpole defended Richard III against the common belief that he
murdered the Princes in the Tower. In ...
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0answers
53 views
Plate armour worn by men-at-arms fighting on foot 1380-1415
Im interested in how much plate and what exactly plate elements have been worn by men-at-arms/soldiers at the turn of the 14th century in different parts of Europe.
Ive already established that a ...
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0answers
45 views
Riveted mail - flat or round rings? Die cut rings mixed with riveted ones?
I'm interested in the chainmail worn in the 14th and 15th century. As far as I know, almost all chainmail found in Europe has been riveted and woven 4 in 1. But I hear that there were chainmails made ...
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2answers
162 views
Popularity of knight-robbery in the 15th century in Germany, Poland and Silesia
I've found the term Raubritter (German), which is translated to Robber-knight, and I was wondering - was it a popular thing in the 15th century? Were there many such knights? If they were tolerated by ...
6
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2answers
114 views
Proportion of footmen and soldiers to knights in battles
Im looking for some scientific articles/expert opinions on the typical proportion of footmen and soldiers to knights in small and big scale battles in the 14th and 15th century.
A summary for pretty ...
4
votes
1answer
43 views
Linen doublets around 1380-1410, middle and eastern Europe
Most people agree that doublets and hose were made with wool on the outside and linen on the inside.
Are there any evidence that confirm such belief? Any guild documents, findings, etc? Do we have ...
9
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1answer
72 views
Researching a Spanish document from the ~XV century [closed]
One of my family relatives who lives in Seville, Spain (my family is from Andalusian ascent) has sent me pictures of a book she owns and has received from her mother. My family claims that the book in ...
4
votes
3answers
296 views
Why is King Henry V regarded as such a great King?
In History magazine it says:
King Henry V is well-known as a great man - charming, wooing, gracious, triumphant and an English hero.
However, in a battle he ordered every male over 12 years old ...
12
votes
1answer
154 views
Who first combined the lateen and square sails that led to the carrack?
In the middle ages the square sail was used in the Atlantic cogs, whereas in the Mediterranean the lateen sail was used due to its more flexible use.
The combination of both sails into one ship ...
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2answers
292 views
What were the demographics and economics of South-East Asian islands around year 1400?
Background:
Prior to the arrival of the Europeans on the scene, the island chains in South-East Asia, specifically in the area of today's Indonesia, Philippines and neighbouring states, housed a ...
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3answers
1k views
Why did China shut itself out of the world in the 15th century?
After a period of maritime explorations (see Zheng He) in the early 15th century, the Ming Dynasty started shutting the Middle Kingdom out of the rest of the world. This of course continued with the ...
20
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5answers
5k views
Why is Christopher Columbus credited for “discovering” America?
Even if we ignore the millions of native Americans who lived in the continent before Columbus "discovered" it, even if we ignore other civilizations (eg: Polynesians, Phoenicians, Chinese, Arabs, ...
13
votes
2answers
317 views
Were Shakespeare's plays written for “high culture” or “entertain the bawdy masses” during his time?
Currently, the plays of William Shakespeare are viewed as great English literature, and viewed as "high culture". However I heard someone say that Shakespeare was writing "bawdy, violence filled plays ...
25
votes
6answers
489 views
At what point was the Byzantine Empire's decline irreversible?
I've heard various arguments that the Byzantines were dealt the mortal wound at Manzikert in 1071 which allowed the Turks to claim most of Anatolia and set the stage for the later sacking of ...
7
votes
2answers
186 views
Why did Huldrych Zwingli and Martin Luther stand for clerical marriage?
Was it an original idea of theirs? Or was it about the legitimization of an already existing custom? For example, Heinrich Bullinger's father was a married dean already in 1504 due to an unofficial ...
7
votes
1answer
144 views
What particularly watershed events led to the War of the Roses?
What were the key events that led to the War of the Roses occurring in England during the 15th century. Was there any particular event that was the tipping point?
