The Middle Ages is a periodisation of European history, encompassing the period from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century to the Renaissance in the 15th century.
12
votes
1answer
122 views
Why didn't Japan expand into Ezo?
Throughout the first millenium of Japanese history (and before that even) the Japanese rather steadily expanded up Honshu.
Once they had taken the whole of Honshu however they seemed largely to stop. ...
15
votes
3answers
452 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 ...
15
votes
2answers
212 views
What would a Norseman in the early 11th century have worn as daily clothing?
Most of the Norse clothing we know about seems to come from burials. However, in many cultures, bodies dressed for burial are wearing either "good" clothes, or special clothes for the dead. Is there ...
25
votes
6answers
482 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 ...
4
votes
0answers
82 views
How sophisticated was Paris in 1500 CE?
I'm helping my HS daughter find sources from which to form an opinion on the following question: "Which city was more sophisticated in 1500: Tenochtitlán or Paris?" for a research paper.
She needs at ...
7
votes
1answer
76 views
Who was Asselin FitzArthur?
I stumbled in wikipedia upon a lovely story about a man called Asselin FitzArthur who stopped the burial proceedings of William the Conqueror in Caen, claiming that the church stood on land that had ...
2
votes
2answers
89 views
Subjects of sermons in the Middle Ages
Were they more often devoted to New Testament subjects or to Old Testament subjects?
15
votes
3answers
328 views
Why was language not utilized to establish dominance throughout England 1066 AD–1360s CE?
Why didn't the Normans enforce the use of their native tongue throughout the whole of England after William the Conqueror (of Normandy) became king of England? During William's reign as king he did ...
9
votes
1answer
191 views
How were medieval guilds formed?
How did one go about starting a guild?
Were guilds usually formed by a group of individuals or just a single person?
What restrictions existed on starting a guild?
What I'm mainly interested in is ...
12
votes
4answers
295 views
Did archers synchronize fire? Why?
I noticed that in medieval movies and TV shows, when there is a big battle happening, groups of archers always synchronize their firing. I was wondering if this is something that writes made up and it ...
15
votes
2answers
514 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 ...
9
votes
3answers
172 views
When Louis I of Hungary died in 1382, why did Polish lords choose Jedwiga instead of Mary as the monarch?
I am looking at a particular moment in Polish history when Louis I of Hungary died in 1382. Although the Hungarian throne was inherited by his daughter Mary, local power brokers back in Poland did not ...
3
votes
3answers
126 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 ...
14
votes
3answers
306 views
How severe were the casualties in ancient/medieval battles?
I've heard that in most battles prior to the introduction of gunpowder weapons, the casualties were usually very low (around 5% even in long battles) prior to the moment when someone's formation was ...
7
votes
0answers
41 views
Medieval Saharan Caravan Navigation
During the medieval times, trade caravans using camels criss crossed the Sahara and Meghreb. For example, salt caravans from the Empire of Mali to the near east.
I've wondered for a long time how ...
23
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
81 views
How did commoners in late medieval to early modern Europe learn to read?
Literacy in the early Middle Ages was very low, but as I recall, by the time of Reformation quite a lot of commoners could read. Even if they were not very good in reading and writing, by the 17th ...
5
votes
0answers
61 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 ...
12
votes
2answers
278 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
158 views
Could medieval European merchants travel through the Islamic world?
I've heard that the Islamic world was closed to European merchants in the Middle Ages. Is this true? If so, when did it close and when did it open again?
8
votes
2answers
104 views
Muslim population in Islamic Iberia
Is there a record or estimate of the Muslim population count in Iberia (Spain/Portugal) during the peak of Islamic rule? Probably 10th or 11th century?
And how big was this in percent of all Iberian ...
6
votes
2answers
117 views
Who kept noble prisoners captured in battle?
During the Hundred Years War era, noblemen captured in a battle were normally held for ransom. In such a case, who got to keep the prisoner, provide him lodgings, and receive the ransom? Was it the ...
7
votes
1answer
81 views
How were heavier objects weighed in antiquity/middle ages?
How were heavier objects weighed in antiquity or the middle ages? Were balances simply scaled up in size with appropriately larger weights? Did people know how much an elephant or even an ox actually ...
8
votes
4answers
262 views
Life in the middle ages for ordinary people?
From studying medieval history and reading related literature, I know enough about day to day life in the sense of life expectancy, work, pleasure, etc.
My question is, given that human nature is ...
10
votes
3answers
331 views
Is it true that medieval villages didn't have names?
Recently I've read a certain book about the Middle Ages that has been quite popular with laymen but is held in utter contempt by professional medievists. In fact, I hadn't known the book's reception ...
4
votes
1answer
42 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
65 views
Language in German cloisters during the High Middle Ages
I would like to know which was the spoken and literary language in German cloisters during the High Middle Ages. Is it possible to differentiate between social groups in the cloister (monks, laymen, ...
3
votes
2answers
54 views
'Sub rosa' council meetings
Wiktionary's etymology of the term sub rosa reads:
The rose's connotation for secrecy dates back to Greek mythology. Aphrodite gave a rose to her son Eros, the god of love; he, in turn, gave it to ...
12
votes
3answers
568 views
What is the difference between the Middle Ages and the Dark Ages?
Is there any difference between the "Middle Ages" and the "Dark Ages"?
3
votes
1answer
156 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
122 views
Status of merchants in feudal Europe
What was the status of merchants during the feudal age in Europe? Did they, like peasants, serve/have allegiance to certain land owning lord? If yes, do they have different status or privileges from ...
13
votes
2answers
314 views
What was the status of Arab Christians during the crusades?
Did Arab Christians take an active role in the crusades in the Holy Land or at any point on their trip to the Holy Land. Or were they victims of the crusaders? Did the crusaders typically ...
3
votes
1answer
26 views
Where can I find the text of “Ecerinis”?
This is a play from the 14th century (reportedly "the first secular tragedy written since Roman times") relating the tale of Ezzelino da Romano and written by one Albertino Mussato. Is there an online ...
3
votes
1answer
77 views
Can the University of Bologna be considered the first university in the world?
There are usually two different opinions: the first group considers the University of Bolgona to be officially the first one, some others instead claim that there might have been other groups of ...
4
votes
5answers
367 views
Which arm was the shield held in?
I'm asking a question elsewhere and I'm sure I've heard some historical text to back this up as well as sound reasoning: you want your strongest arm to stop yourself from getting killed by using a ...
7
votes
1answer
106 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 ...
7
votes
4answers
185 views
Who are the modern descendants of the Khazar people?
The Khazars where a people who built an empire centred North of the Caucasus Range, between the 7th and 11th centuries. They are not at all mainstream (at least in Europe), even though, defeating the ...
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 ...
15
votes
1answer
198 views
How was armour rusting in the rain handled throughout history?
Various sources (ex) state as one of the biggest advantages of non-metal armours, that they did not rust in the rain.
However, a knight would have a squire to clean and oil his armour every evening. ...
14
votes
1answer
250 views
Did “droit du seigneur” actually exist in medieval Europe?
Droit du seigneur, also known as "jus primae noctis" (right of the first night), was the supposed right of a feudal lord to sleep with his serfs' brides on their wedding night.
Was it actually ...
12
votes
1answer
147 views
Medieval Scottish clan society and legal structure
What was the basic structure of a Scottish clan in the medieval times?
What was the role of the clan chief?
What was the role of the elders?
Were there any other prominent roles in the society such ...
2
votes
1answer
41 views
Why were Catholic priests prohibited from participating in ordeals but allowed to participate in inquisitions?
Pope Innocent III prohibited priests from participating in ordeals during the Fourth Lateran Council, but Pope Innocent IV later allowed torture in inquisitions. What is the ideological difference?
8
votes
1answer
94 views
Republican thought in the Middle Ages
I wonder if there were any books written in the Middle Ages that argued the case for a republic versus a monarchy. On the opposite side we can find Dante's De Monarchia (and probably many others) who ...
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?
3
votes
0answers
63 views
Changing troops in first line during battle [closed]
I remember Caesar in De Bello Gallico mentioning Romans changing fighting/resting troops in some siege defense while Celtic attackers didn't do this and lost the battle because of it (it was somewhere ...
7
votes
1answer
328 views
What factors contributed to the rise of national monarchies in the high middle ages?
I'd be the first to admit that I don't exactly know much about this topic and the initial research I've done on it has simply led to greater confusion. My current understanding (which I'm pretty sure ...
11
votes
2answers
249 views
In the Medieval period, how long would an average swordsmith need to forge an average sword?
Based on this question over in RPG, I'm trying to figure out how long it took to forge a sword in the Medieval/Renaissance smith to make swords. I am recalling a figure of about 9-12 months per ...
9
votes
0answers
77 views
Was there any connection between the Ottonians and Benedictines?
The Ottonians and Benedictines were expanding across Europe around the same time. However, other than in Rome they didn't have much overlap. I've heard references in some history and medieval ...
2
votes
2answers
121 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
218 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 ...
