Artefacts from the Medieval period
Rising like an immortal jewel from the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City ranks among the world’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites. Known as the Purplish Forbidden City during its centuries as the imperial palace of China’s emperors, this architectural mega-structure has been both the ceremonial heart of dynastic rule and a closed-off city-within-a-city … Read more
In the ancient biblical narrative, few episodes have proven as indelibly shocking and morally provocative as the story of Salome, the young woman whose salacious dance led to one of the most horrific executions of an important religious figure. Her name has become synonymous with dangerous feminine seduction through the years. As the story goes, … Read more
In the sun-drenched landscapes of medieval southern France, a religious movement took root that would challenge the very foundations of Catholic orthodoxy. The Cathars, also known as the Albigensians, believed in a dualistic theology that rejected the material world as corrupt and promoted a life of asceticism and purity. Their rapid rise in the Languedoc … Read more
In the pantheon of European rulers who left indelible marks on history, few loom as large as Charlemagne. The Frankish King carved out a vast empire through brutal military campaigns and savvy reform in the 8th and 9th centuries. But a single ceremony on Christmas Day in the year 800 AD may be Charlemagne’s deepest … Read more
Few figures in Spanish history have achieved such legendary status as El Cid Campeador. The tale of this skilled military leader and nobleman from the 11th century has been told and retold over centuries, blurring the lines between historical fact and epic fiction. From his origins as Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar to his memorialization in … Read more
When the beloved Queen Eleanor of Castile unexpectedly died in 1290 near the village of Harby in Lincolnshire, her husband, King Edward I, was utterly devastated. The larger-than-life Plantagenet king, who himself ordered the execution of William Wallace and conquered Wales, was brought to his knees by the loss of his wife of 36 years. … Read more
The Viking Age (793-1066 AD) marked a significant period of exploration, expansion, and maritime mastery for the Norse peoples. From their homelands in Scandinavia, the Vikings embarked on daring voyages across the North Atlantic, establishing pioneering settlements in places like Iceland, Greenland, and possibly even North America. However, recent evidence suggests that these impressive feats of colonization … Read more