Medieval Ages

The Moors are well-known for their presence on the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages and for the conflicts they fought in Europe, but the term Moor is a historical rather than an ethnic name. It is an invention of European Christians for the Islamic inhabitants of Maghreb (North Africa), Andalusia (Spain), Sicily, and Malta, and it was sometimes used to designate all Muslims.

Medieval feudalism is one of those subjects which most of us are familiar with, and yet have difficulty describing. Was is a political, military, economic, or social system? And how did it develop? All these questions are answered in this superb book. Carl Stephenson has done a magnificent job of paring away all extraneous subjects and focusing on just the key elements. This short book, a masterpiece of brevity, succinctly sums up medieval feudalism better than anything ever written.

There can be no doubt that military conflict between France and England dominated European history in the 14th and 15th centuries. The Hundred Years War is of considerable interest both because of its duration and the number of theatres in which it was fought. Drawing on the latest research for this new edition, Hundred Years War expert Professor Anne Curry examines how the war can reveal much about the changing nature of warfare: the rise of infantry and the demise of the knight; the impact of increased use of gunpowder and the effect of the war on generations of people.

The names of few medieval monarchs and their queens are better known than Eleanor of Aquitaine, uniquely queen of France and queen of England, and her second husband Henry II. Although academically labeled "medieval," their era was the violent transition from the Dark Ages, when countries' borders were defined with fire and sword. If princes fought for their succession to crowns, the princesses were traded—usually by their mothers—to strangers for political power without the bloodshed.

A short story. A prequel to the Knights of Acre series. In the scorching summer of 1191, as the Third Crusade rages on, Sir Alaric of Normandy finds himself at the heart of a treacherous plot that threatens to unravel everything he holds dear. On the eve of a crucial battle against Saladin's forces near the strategic city of Arsuf, Alaric uncovers a shocking conspiracy led by the ambitious Lord de Marcy and his own mentor, Sir Geoffrey. Torn between loyalty and duty, Alaric must navigate a dangerous web of deceit as he races against time to expose the betrayal and save the Crusader army ...

In the realm of Eldoria, an ancient land where magic permeates every crevice and the very air thrums with arcane energy, a legendary artifact lies shattered - the Ancient Crystal of Eldoria. This relic, capable of uniting or shattering the realms themselves, has been shrouded in mystery for centuries, its true power all but forgotten. Amidst the rolling hills and frozen peaks of this mythical domain, a young girl named Isolde Frostbane is about to embark on a journey that will shape her destiny forever. Born into a humble village, her life is shattered when a marauding band of mercenaries ...

Journeying alongside scholars, spies and saints, from western Europe to the Far East and the Antipodes, this is no ordinary travel guide. From profane pilgrim badges and Venetian laxatives to encounters with bandits and trysts with mysterious medieval witches, this book mixes fact and folklore to offer an entertaining encyclopaedia of wondrous stories and peoples. Offering a vivid and unforgettable insight into how medieval people understood their world, A Travel Guide to the Middle Ages blurs the distinction between real and imagined places.

The term Moor is a historical rather than an ethnic name. It is an invention of European Christians for the Islamic inhabitants of Maghreb (North Africa), Andalusia (Spain), Sicily and Malta, and was sometimes use to designate all Muslims. It is derived from Mauri, the Latin name for the Berbers who lived in the Roman province of Mauretania, which ranged across modern Algeria and Morocco. Saracen was another European term used to designate Muslims, though it usually referred to the Arabic peoples of the Middle East and derives from an ancient name for the Arabs, Sarakenoi.

"I will never forget what you did to me. Hide from me if you must, but sooner or later I will have your blood, dear brother." ~ Viola Betrayed by her own brother, forgotten by her friends, Viola has lost everything dear to her. Held captive by the king, she is forced to fight for her life as her brother once did. Is this a life even worth living? Probably not. Is surviving long enough to have your revenge? Most definitely... Graphic-content warning: This book is intended only for mature audiences.

Whispers of the Gate Keeper's return have sprung up everywhere, raging across Tarmerria like a blazing forest fire. Could it be true? Has this mystical figure really returned to the world of men? Some have embraced the idea as a symbol of hope. Others will do whatever it takes to see Eric dead. Lines have been drawn, sides have been taken. There is only one way to discover the truth. Tarmerria must go to war. This book is intended for mature audiences. The Legend of the Gate Keeper Series Reading Order: The Shadow: (A standalone prequel: Book 0) Land of Shadows: (Book 1) Siege of Night: (...

The world has seen what Eric can do. Is this the one man who can defeat the demon Krytoes? He has proven himself to the mortals, but must now establish himself in the eyes of the Gods themselves. Many have claimed to be the Gate Keeper, but none have ever survived the Trials of Ashbarn. Let the trials begin! This book is intended for mature audiences. The Legend of the Gate Keeper Series Reading Order: The Shadow: (A standalone prequel: Book 0) Land of Shadows: (Book 1) Siege of Night: (Book 2) Lost Empire: (Book 3) Reborn: (Book 4) The Trials of Ashbarn: (Book 5) End of Days: (Final Book)

She summoned a monster to destroy her enemies. Now she’s the one chained to the altar. Aeloria Betrayed by the coven and cast out with scars still healing, I wanted revenge. The ritual was supposed to bind a demon to my will, a weapon to grind Elarion and the others to ash. But what came through the flames wasn’t just power—it was Kraven. Towering, horned, and far too sentient. The bond didn’t make him mine. It made me his. My body betrays me every time he draws near, and the heat only deepens. I told myself this was about control. Now I’m soaked in ritual blood and shame, and ...

Prince Rafe leans over me, holding himself up on one elbow as he gazes at my face. I feel his eyes wandering over every surface from my brow to my eyes, down my nose, to my lips and chin, and then returning to hold my gaze for a second. The small smile at the corner of his mouth makes me think he likes what he sees. His hand is cool when it brushes a loose curl from my cheek, but I don’t jerk away from him. I have no idea what’s going on. I don’t understand why I’m here. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. It seems like a lot of powerful people want me—dead or alive. And yet...

If a knight captures a lady, can she steal his heart? With one careless roll of the dice, Baron Lindsey Fordyce gambles away his beautiful daughter Rowena. Spirited away to an imposing castle, Rowena finds herself pressed into the service of a dark and forbidding knight accused of murder…and much more. Handsome, brooding Sir Gareth of Caerleon has spent years waiting for his chance for revenge. But when he seeks to use the fair Rowena to slay the ghosts of his past, he finds himself ensnared in a tender trap of his own making…a trap he can only escape by surrendering his heart. Book 1 ...

In Elven King, Leonard's most exciting adventure yet, a battle of epic proportions awaits as he and his allies rush to save the notorious Claws Crimson. Lord Crimson is the much-feared ruler of the mysterious Dark Elves and (surprise!) Leonard's own grandfather! But wait. Isn't the old elf a cruel and dangerous warlord? Why should he help someone as awful as that? Merlin assures Leonard that his grandfather isn't evil, just, uh...misunderstood. As Leonard and his friends travel through the dangerous worlds of Viking mythology, the stakes grow ever higher, and now Leonard must fight to not ...

From leftover trenchers and stinky chamber pots to barber surgeons and the black plague, life could be really miserable for people during medieval times. Get ready to explore the nasty side of life in the Middle Ages.

The formation of the state is a natural stage in the development of society. This is a very lengthy process, so any event that marks the transition to the state forms of life is very conditional. Primitive society could exist, guided by two basic principles that regulated social life: custom (tradition) and the right of the strong. Centuries-old traditions were rarely challenged, so there was no need for some special mechanisms to ensure their compliance. However, as primitive society gradually changed, the relations between the congeners became more and more diverse.

In 866, the city of York was captured by a ‘Great Army’ of Viking warriors. Ten years later, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the Viking army made the transition from warfare to settlement, as their leader ‘shared out the land of the Northumbrians, and they proceeded to plough and to support themselves’. This conquest and settlement marked the beginning of two centuries of Scandinavian dominance in Yorkshire, a defining period in the county’s history. Viking kings reigned in York until 954, when the last Scandinavian ruler, Eric Bloodaxe, was driven out and killed. But even...

Joan of Arc was born in a small French village during the worst period of the Hundred Years' War. For generations, France had been besieged by the British. At age 11, Joan began to see religious visions telling her to join forces with the King of France. By the time she was a teenager, she was leading troops into battle in the name of her country. Though she was captured and executed for her beliefs, Joan of Arc became a Catholic saint and has since captured the world's imagination.

The Russian Federation and Ukraine do indeed share a common heritage, but their history and culture led them along divergent paths. Many listeners might be surprised to learn that the historical center of Russia was not Moscow, but Kiev, the capital of modern Ukraine.