The Fate of Arthur of Brittany
Arthur of Brittany, the young grandson of Henry II, played a central role in the political struggles of the late 12th century. For a...
Continuity of English Rule
Despite revolts and local unrest, Aquitaine remained attached to the English crown. Even after the loss of Normandy, which had been part of the...
Sirventets Poetry as a Political Tool
In medieval Aquitaine, culture and politics were closely linked, often in surprising ways. One of the most important examples was the sirventet, a type...
Reconstruction of the Walls
Who Was in Charge?
The question of how long it took to rebuild the walls of Constantinople is not the only issue raised by the...
The Strength of Constantinople’s Walls
As an inscription on the fortifications of Constantinople proudly declared, the city’s walls were not just any walls—they were extraordinarily strong. The inscription, which...
A Natural Disaster and a Dangerous Time
The walls of Constantinople, though strong, soon suffered serious damage—not from an invading army, but from a powerful force of nature. In the year...
