Medieval History

Jewish Life in Medieval Spain is a detailed exploration of the Jewish experience in medieval Spain from the dawn of Sephardic society in the ninth century to the expulsion of 1492. An important contribution of the book is the integration of the rise and fall of Jewish life in Muslim al-Andalus into the history of the Jews in medieval Christian Spain. It traces the collapse of Jewish life in Muslim Spain, the emigration of Andalusi Jewry to the lands of Christian Iberia, and the difficult confluence of these two distinct Jewish subcultures.

What if the courage of one man could change the world? In 1415, Jan Hus was burned at the stake for challenging the corruption of the Catholic Church and standing by his convictions. His sacrifice ignited a movement, inspired the Reformation, and laid the groundwork for ideas that still shape our world today. What would you sacrifice for the truth? In a world dominated by corruption and fear, Jan Hus stood alone. A century before Martin Luther, this courageous Bohemian preacher challenged the Catholic Church’s authority, exposing its moral failings and advocating for equality, justice, ...

Just as out from the flames come the Phoenix, from the ashes of an identity, devastated, came Margaret of Austria, the most influential female of her time. Married into the highest echelons of European monarchy, queen of France, princess of Spain, and duchess of savoy, the security of destiny proved false, leaving the young Margaret married thrice and widowed twice. And yet, this unplanned destiny was transformative, forming her into the hand that moved the puzzle pieces of European diplomacy. Married at two years of age to the dauphin of France, by twelve, Margaret of Austria found herself...

The year 1316 was a bleak one for anyone who lived in the North of England. King Edward II had been humiliated at Bannockburn two years before, and appeared to be powerless against his cousin and political adversary, Thomas earl of Lancaster. Both men ignored the Northern counties of England as they continued their power struggle, leaving Robert Bruce a free hand to raid as widely and often as he wished. Only one man offered any hope to the beleaguered Northerners. Andrew de Harcla had led the defence of Carlisle the previous year, proving that the Scots were not invincible, but he had been...

This magnificent story of 1,000 years of English history is told through the lives and deeds of Kings and Queens, from the Normans to the Windsors. Understand how the power of the crown has changed as a result of both the character and ability of each monarch and evolving historical circumstances. Eight specialist contributors depict the whole spectrum of royal life in a succinct and fascinating way. Newly revised in 1998, this edition offers expanded coverage of the House of Windsor, including recent events that have greatly affected the Royal Family.

17th century Russia, where innocence collides with the harsh realities of life in the midst of a Cossack rebellion. In this gripping tale, Fyodor, 20, blond, extremely strong and a serf on a small Russian estate is chosen for a dangerous mission that will take him far from the only home he has ever known. As he ventures far from the safety of his estate, his innocence and naivety ultimately leave him vulnerable to criminals who relieve him of both money and documents including his transit papers, without which he is subject to arrest. Managing to evade capture he makes his way home only to ...

Finn McCool is a legendary figure of Irish folklore, known for his bravery and superhuman strength. But who was the real Finn McCool? In this concise history book, you will discover the true story of this iconic hero. From his childhood and his famous battle with the Scottish giant, to his love life and eventual demise, this book tells the tale of one of Ireland's most celebrated characters. Filled with colorful details and fascinating insights, this book is a must-hear for anyone interested in Irish mythology and history.

Edward I is familiar to millions as "Longshanks", conqueror of Scotland and nemesis of Sir William Wallace (in Braveheart). Yet this story forms only the final chapter of the king's action-packed life. Earlier, Edward had defeated and killed the famous Simon de Montfort, traveled to the Holy Land, and conquered Wales. He raised the greatest armies of the Middle Ages and summoned the largest parliaments. Notoriously, he expelled all the Jews from his kingdom.

The history of magic is as long as time and as wide as the world. In every culture, in every age, in every place and, probably, in every heart, there is magic. Harry Potter: A History of Magic reveals some of the hidden stories behind real-world magic and explores some of J.K. Rowling's magical inventions alongside their folkloric, cultural and historical forebears.

"La Breve historia del rey Arturo" analiza uno de los romances medievales más importantes de la Europa occidental: el mito del rey Arturo, que unifica los reinos de Inglaterra y hace retroceder a los invasores sajones, persiguiéndolos hasta el continente. Arturo, junto a su mujer, Ginebra, ejerce su reinado en la magnífica ciudad de Camelot, donde reúne alrededor de una inmensa mesa redonda a formidables caballeros: Gauvain, Kay, Percival, Lancelot, Tristán.

At the end of the fifteenth century, Burgundy was extinguished as an independent state. It had been a fabulously wealthy, turbulent region situated between France and Germany, with close links to the English kingdom. Torn apart by the dynastic struggles of early modern Europe, this extraordinary realm vanished from the map. But it became the cradle of what we now know as the Low Countries, modern Belgium and the Netherlands. This is the story of a thousand years, a must-listen narrative history of ambitious aristocrats, family dysfunction, treachery, savage battles, luxury, and madness.

This book is a history of early medieval Spain. The book begins with the early histories of Castile, Galicia, Leon, Navarre, Aragon, and Portugal. The history of both Spain and Portugal start in the early 800s. The ruling families' histories are interrelated through their marriages. There are also sections devoted to the early history of each of the major counties.

Step into the world of a scholar whose influence spans over a millennium, shaping not just the church, but the very fabric of Western civilization. Meet the Man Behind the Knowledge Isidore of Seville was more than just a bishop; he was a visionary who saw the power of knowledge to transform society. His life and work offer a window into a time when the preservation of wisdom was nothing short of heroic. This book invites you to explore the mind of a man who became the intellectual backbone of the early Middle Ages. Unlock the Secrets of the Etymologiae Discover how Isidore’s greatest ...

The Angevin Empire has been claimed by a new king. Richard, the elder surviving legitimate son of King Henry II of England, is universally accepted as his father’s successor. However, Richard is not as interested in remaining in Europe to rule his inherited lands as in acquiring the money and means to travel to the middle east, where he intends to prosecute a war against those who threaten the Christians there. His younger brother John, still distressed at the death of the old king, wants desperately to find the opportunity to pay the new king back for the bitter conflict Richard had ...

Revolutionary Ideas, Simplified. Two Books in One Powerful Volume. Step into the world of groundbreaking simplicity and intellectual clarity with The Logic of Simplicity: Ockham and Nominalism Explained. This 2-in-1 guide combines William of Ockham: A Beginner’s Guide and Nominalism for Beginners: Exploring the Roots of a Revolutionary Idea into one essential resource, perfect for anyone eager to unravel the foundations of modern thought. Discover How Simplicity Changed Everything: Explore the life and legacy of William of Ockham, the trailblazing thinker who dared to question centuries ...

Autumn, southern France, 1243: Days ago, the botanist and her students fled from Crusaders attacking their village, but now they must seek shelter from the punishing wind. Searching on her own, Renata hears voices and more visions come—no, those are real, but they aren’t really witches, are they? Why do strangers here seem so familiar? Their party seem safe enough in this shelter . . . for now. But what of their families, and any other survivors from their village? And what of the quest of Sir Simon, their lone protector? Will he save them, or give them into the hands of the Inquisitor ...

In a world where loyalty is tested and power is fleeting, young Ela, only child of the Earl of Salisbury, finds herself swept out of England after the death of her father to the opulent courts of Richard Lionheart. Betrothed to William Longsword, the King's illegitimate brother, she navigates a life filled with danger and ambition. As King John’s tyranny looms, Ela's love for William and their growing family face relentless threats. When war strikes and William is presumed lost at sea, ambitious suitors circle like vultures. Will Ela’s unwavering spirit endure, or will fate tear them ...

Scholars, journalists, and politicians uphold Muslim-ruled medieval Spain - "al-Andalus" - as a multicultural paradise, a place where Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived in harmony. There is only one problem with this widely accepted account: It is a myth. In this groundbreaking book, Northwestern University scholar Darío Fernández-Morera tells the full story of Islamic Spain. As professors, politicians, and pundits continue to celebrate Islamic Spain for its "multiculturalism" and "diversity", Fernández-Morera sets the record straight.

An upstart French duke who sets out to conquer the most powerful and unified kingdom in Christendom. An invasion force on a scale not seen since the days of the Romans. One of the bloodiest and most decisive battles ever fought.

The fall of Constantinople in 1453 signaled a shift in history and the end of the Byzantium Empire. Roger Crowley's listenable and comprehensive account of the battle between Mehmed II, sultan of the Ottoman Empire, and Constantine XI, the 57th emperor of Byzantium, illuminates the period in history that was a precursor to the current jihad between the West and the Middle East.