History
Ritualized Affection
“Still on his knees, the Cid kissed the King’s hands, and then, rising to his feet, he kissed him on the mouth. The whole assembly rejoiced at this.” […]
12th Century AD
Britons and Celts
An Assassin in the Family
“As she passed in front of Brian, he immediately recognized her. He called to her in a low voice, bursting into tears as he did so.” […]
Humor
A Scoundrel of the Highest Order
“He nervously toiled and schemed how he might enter the castle, taking various disguises as sometimes on horse, sometimes on foot, he pretended to be a jongleur or prostitute.” […]
Eastern Europe
A Secret Weapon in Action
“They related that the Greeks had in their possession the lightning from heaven, and had set them on fire by pouring it forth.” […]
Britons and Celts
Standing Between a Zombie and its Grave
“He sank into the grave, the earth closed over him, the cross was laid upon it and he remained quiet.” […]
Britons and Celts
The Island of the Living
“When there is no hope left; when as the strength decreases they are eventually so distressed that they prefer to die in death than drag out a life of death, they get themselves finally transported in a boat to the larger island.” […]
History
One Dog to Rule Them All
“hat else are we to imagine his aim was other than to make the populace, bursting with pride, clearly understand that he was punishing their haughtiness, when they had to bow their heads in deference to a yapping animal?” […]
Human Affairs
Treacherous Love in the Medieval World
“Am I to have a husband? How can I accept him? I am no longer a virgin; I shall be a servant all my days. I never realized that things would turn out this way.” […]
Medieval Mentality
Up Close With a Siege Engine
“A wooden bridge was attached to the towering machine; it reached out at a height that would enable it to be let down a little above the oak wall and thus provide easy entry into the castle for those coming across it.” […]
Eastern Europe
A Chronicle of Revenge
“Olga bent over and inquired whether they found the honor to their taste. They answered that it was worse than the death of [her husband] Igor.” She then commanded that they should be buried alive, and they were thus buried.” […]