Human Affairs

Rockstar of the Dark Ages

“Inside this tent was the maiden who surpassed in beauty the lily – clad only in her shift. Her body was well formed and handsome. Her side was uncovered, as well as her face, neck and breast.” […]

History

The Founding of the Templars

“By persuasion, prayer and every means in his power, he induced all such pilgrims as were men of arms either to surrender themselves for life to the service of the Lord in that place, or at least to devote themselves for a time.” […]

Violence

A Kiss or a Kill

THE SCENE: After the Spanish General El Cid defeated the army of King Bucar of Morocco, he pursued the fleeing monarch to the sea. After cornering Bucar, El Cid offered him one chance at surrender: […]

Britons and Celts

A Poison-Proof Isle

“They found toads brought in by chance in the bottom of the holds. They threw them out still living on to the land; but immediately they turned their bellies up, burst in the middle, and died, while everybody saw and wondered.” […]

Supernatural

The Taxonomy of Magic

“It is not surprising that barbarians yields to their weird hocus-pocus and were led into the rites of a debased religion, since even the intelligent Romans were reduced into worshiping similar mortals with divine honours.” […]

Greek and Roman

One Family Humbles Two Empires

“The princes hesitated over what to do. Should they abandon a great and costly expedition without hope of recovering their losses? Or should they allow the lord pope, the City and the church be cast into slavery, or rather destroyed?” […]