Tagged Questions
5
votes
2answers
96 views
Eastern and Southern Europe in the medieval time period?
What were Eastern and Southern Europe like in the medieval period? Did Southern and Eastern Europe have knights and castles like Western Europe? I've never heard for example of Italian knights in the ...
13
votes
1answer
88 views
What was it like for a coastal village to experience a Viking raid in around the tenth century?
Were fishing villages really completely at the mercy of these Vikings, or could they defend them selves? Did villagers have their own weapons? Could they expect any support from a Lord or Land Baron? ...
3
votes
3answers
127 views
How “religious” was the average person in the Middle Ages?
During Europe in the Middle Ages, how religious was the "average Joe"?
Looking at the large scale politics of the time it seems religion was a major part of the elites' lives, with treaties with the ...
5
votes
0answers
67 views
What percentage of Jews were in “finance” (money-lenders) throughout Middle Ages?
The stereotypical image of a Jew in Middle Ages (and the portrayal of them) was of course "the money-lender". From Ivanhoe's Isaac of York, to Shakespeare's Shylock, to "Проклятый жид, почтенный ...
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 ...
12
votes
2answers
293 views
What did squires do in the middle of a medieval battle?
According to wikipedia, a normal squire daily job included:
Carrying the knight's armour, shield, sword,
Holding any prisoners the knight takes,
Rescuing the knight should the knight be ...
7
votes
1answer
109 views
Early medieval urban development
Does anybody know of research papers or academic resources that study the full development and growth of medieval cities? I mean, from village stage to city stage. Or maybe cities did not develop that ...
2
votes
2answers
122 views
What is known about the possibility of a “real King Arthur”?
I once saw a documentary that discussed a discovered possible "round table" but wondered how "pie in the sky" this possibility was as well as just how much/how little evidence is there for any ...
13
votes
1answer
224 views
How did cities operate in medieval times?
Modern fiction is often filled with fantasy versions of the Middle Ages, from Lord of the Rings to Game of Thrones, and everything in between, but how did the reality of this trope operate?
There ...
3
votes
1answer
160 views
Did the Moors and Arabs, “Muslims,” who invaded Europe, ie “Spain,” help the evolution of civilizations of Europe?
Were the Muslims viewed as barbarians similar to the Mongols, and as a people who only specialized in war? Or, were Muslims advanced enough to teach Europe scientific advancements? Did they invent any ...
15
votes
3answers
467 views
Where does the name of the country “Belarus” come from?
I've read the German and English Wikipedia on this topic as well as the translated Belarussian version and some sites I googled.
They all seem to argue that the 'Rus' part stems from the Region called ...
3
votes
1answer
91 views
How was food produced in Europe/Germany prior to the industrial revolution?
I'd appreciate any pointer to books or other medias that cover the production of food prior to the industrial revolution (with the regional focus being in Europe or even more narrowly in ...
15
votes
2answers
542 views
How did Europeans first acquire gunpowder?
I know that gunpowder was first invented in China around the 10th century, and it seems that gunpowder likely made its way to Europe via the "Silk Road." However, there doesn't seem to be a ton of ...
24
votes
6answers
2k views
What were the reasons for the Renaissance / scientific revolution in Europe?
One of the common reasons given for the Renaissance and the subsequent scientific revolution is the rediscovery of classical works by scholars in Europe and the social change that the study of those ...
12
votes
1answer
186 views
Why were the Normans such good builders?
The Normans are a bunch of Vikings that settled in northern France, and within a century they were christians speaking French. By 1066 they had become very experienced at fighting wars between ...
9
votes
2answers
216 views
What was the cultural background of Burgundians?
In the Middle Ages there was a big country in Europe between France and German kingdoms, Burgundy. What language did they speak there? Were they more German or French in origin?
16
votes
1answer
227 views
What were the acceptance criteria in universities of medieval Europe?
Did they have entrance tests?
Were certain groups officially banned from entering?
How much did one have to pay?
Did they have scholarships for talented studends?
How these criteria differed between ...
