tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63173734058773090182024-03-13T03:37:17.251-07:00Medieval Castle BlogMedieval castles and medieval life fascinate people across a spectrum of age and cultural background. We have a long-standing passion for all things medieval, including medieval castle design, medieval monarchs, medieval banqueting, medieval gardens and even medieval recipes. medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-9465933617902588012021-05-25T08:27:00.003-07:002021-05-26T08:17:30.570-07:00Medieval Siege Engines - The Power To Destroy<p>The construction of a medieval castle incorporated many features but the single, most important one was the castle's ability to withstand attack from siege engines. Medieval siege engines comprised a variety of ingenious weapons.
Primarily wooden in construction with metal parts for reinforcement of
key parts of each structure, the most effective siege weapons were:<br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/castle_defences_weapons.htm" target="_blank">Trebuchet</a></li><li>Siege Tower</li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battering_ram" target="_blank">Battering Ram</a> </li></ul><p>Let's take a look at what made these weapons so effective and led to the capture of many castles.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span>Trebuchet</span></h3><p><span>A weapon with tremendous power that not only threatened the castle walls at which it was aimed but could also be dangerous for the soldiers operating it. Such was the dynamic energy unleashed when a trebuchet was fired. Watch a modern day replica trebuchet being fired and you will get some idea of how effective it could be. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-80qZSNmzQQ" width="413" youtube-src-id="-80qZSNmzQQ"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span></span><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Siege Tower<br /></h3><p>A medieval siege tower was used by an attacking army to protect its soldiers and scaling ladders as they moved towards a castle's outer walls. The act of scaling defensive walls with ladders was called <a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/castle_attack_defence/escalades.htm" target="_blank">escalade</a>. The arrows of archers defending the castle walls had no effect in keeping the army at bay until they were essentially 'knocking on the door'. Here is a video of a replica medieval siege tower.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="333" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/voM_gNE-ErQ" width="400" youtube-src-id="voM_gNE-ErQ"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Battering Ram</h3><p></p><p>This weapon was useful at close range in a castle attack, either to weaken a castle's wooden entrance gate or to create breaches in part of the outer wall. It required a number of soldiers to propel it but the force they put behind its movement, along with the battering ram's solid construction was usually enough to make a credible impact, even on the first attempt.</p><p>Below is the <a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/french_castles/chateau_tiffauges.htm" target="_blank">Château de Tiffauges</a> in France with a replica medieval siege tower
standing in the grounds of the castle ruins. The castle has for many years
hosted a fabulous medieval siege engine demonstration for visitors. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBY28USxzo8/TLt761T0Y9I/AAAAAAAAABs/zH9FvlGi3jcOBYQeiF6B2XQ2Tj8iyo8yACPcBGAYYCw/s300/tiffauges_castle_300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="300" height="275" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBY28USxzo8/TLt761T0Y9I/AAAAAAAAABs/zH9FvlGi3jcOBYQeiF6B2XQ2Tj8iyo8yACPcBGAYYCw/w419-h275/tiffauges_castle_300.jpg" width="419" /></a></div><p>This photograph was taken from ground level next to the river, looking up. A daunting prospect for any would-be attacker to figure out how to take a castle in such a strategically advantaged position!</p>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-68919640837200393732021-02-24T14:03:00.000-08:002021-02-24T14:03:11.765-08:00A View Into A Medieval Garden: Herbs<div><p>Many medieval castles had their own garden in which grew a wide variety of plants and trees. Such gardens were designed and tended meticulously with great attention to detail. As such, a medieval garden yielded the most wonderful array of quality produce, all of which was destined for consumption and use by the lucky inhabitants of the castle and often their guests. <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEDabCXyd8c/YDbLmJKVMoI/AAAAAAAAAO0/G_xdvGNiIJcNxOhkKm05acAit_AsmBK4gCNcBGAsYHQ/s750/plants-vine-canopy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="750" height="299" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEDabCXyd8c/YDbLmJKVMoI/AAAAAAAAAO0/G_xdvGNiIJcNxOhkKm05acAit_AsmBK4gCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h299/plants-vine-canopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully designed medieval garden<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Fruit and vegetables readily found their way into the medieval castle kitchen where they featured in many medieval recipes - some simple and some quite exotic ones! Pears stewed in red wine and spices was a good example of the latter. Apart from pears there were apples, quince and berry fruits.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-udY2XzIuE-E/YDbLEMsm_6I/AAAAAAAAAOs/mqHgwyBLtF0ZgRF4HQSMuEXJTyrGRPmQACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/blackberries-640.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-udY2XzIuE-E/YDbLEMsm_6I/AAAAAAAAAOs/mqHgwyBLtF0ZgRF4HQSMuEXJTyrGRPmQACNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/blackberries-640.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackberries</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Flowers were cultivated for a variety of uses in the castle. Some for decoration, some for consumption as part of a medieval salad and some for medicinal purposes.</p><p>The most abundant 'crop' in a medieval garden was usually herbs and that was because of the many, many ways in which medieval people used herbs. This is what we take a look at next.<br /></p></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Medieval Herbs</h2><p>Herbs were amongst the most important plants in a medieval castle garden and were prized either for their taste or their medicinal properties. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p>A typical, well planted medieval garden contained an incredible variety of herbs, most of which are still popular today. The difference back in medieval times, especially medieval England and France, was that herbs were used to a greater extent and many people had a good general knowledge of herbs and how best to use them.</p><p>Let's take a look at some medieval herbs which were popular for their medicinal uses, starting with one that many people many have never even heard of!</p><p><b>Agrimony</b><br />Used in medieval times for the treatment of stomach problems<br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qTwdKb0XADQ/YDZ_rul9I5I/AAAAAAAAAOk/BkNGMI-SZzcEY-nVT0f3MVf1Bo8WhBn2wCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/agrimony-pb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="640" height="313" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qTwdKb0XADQ/YDZ_rul9I5I/AAAAAAAAAOk/BkNGMI-SZzcEY-nVT0f3MVf1Bo8WhBn2wCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h313/agrimony-pb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agrimony in flower<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="ILfuVd NA6bn"><span class="hgKElc"></span></span></p><p></p><p>Medieval herbs with names that are a little more familiar to people today:<br /></p><p><b>Angelica</b><br />Medieval use: For the digestive system</p><p><b>Borage</b><br />Medieval use: For the stomach and chest</p><p><b>Dittany</b><br />Medieval use: Good for poultices</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKpUrnzab1I/YDbMIu4MS6I/AAAAAAAAAO8/VFzgyITENIERuTAWv8FXsT-9Tm35CPEcQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/dittany-herb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="640" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKpUrnzab1I/YDbMIu4MS6I/AAAAAAAAAO8/VFzgyITENIERuTAWv8FXsT-9Tm35CPEcQCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h315/dittany-herb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dittany</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Flax</b><br />Medieval use: To stimulate appetite</p><p>
<b>Sage</b><br />Medieval use: To <span class="ILfuVd">treat colds</span></p><p><b>St John's Wort</b><br />Medieval use: To help with burns and bruising</p><p></p><p>The list of herbs from the medieval era is a long one and there are some great resources for anyone who is interested in learning more about the general subject of medieval gardening. Here is a great example - a <a href="https://www.medieval-recipes.com/medieval-garden/herbs/" target="_blank">medieval herbs list</a> which explains the variety of uses and gives an A-Z of some of the most commonly used herbs from medieval England and France.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Medieval Garden Reading Resources<br /></h2><p><a href="https://www.medieval-recipes.com/medieval-garden/" target="_blank">Medieval Gardens</a> (An introduction to the role of medieval gardens in England and France courtesy of Medieval-Recipes.com)<br /></p><p><a href="https://blog.metmuseum.org/cloistersgardens/category/plants-in-medieval-art/" target="_blank">Plants In Medieval Art</a> (Metropolitan Musem Of Art - The Cloisters Museum and Gardens)<br /></p><p></p><p><a href="https://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/ancientoaksofengland/history" target="_blank">Trees Of Medieval England</a> (Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford)</p><p>The above resources are just a sample of the wealth of information that exists and has been published to date. There are many more but these particular 3 were chosen because they exemplify the scope of the subject of medieval gardens as a whole. Hopefully, you will find something of interest there :) <br /></p>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-61446818696395014442012-09-28T13:00:00.001-07:002021-03-08T07:59:55.660-08:00Medieval Castle: Château d'AngersThe medieval castle in Angers in France's Loire Valley is a must see for anyone interested in medieval history. The <a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/french_castles/chateaudangers.htm" target="_blank">Château d'Angers</a> is not only a stunning piece of medieval architecture and medieval castle design but its list of tenants over the centuries reads like the 'Who's Who' of medieval greats! Here are just some of the people who spent time at the Château d'Angers:<br />
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<a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/medievalkingsandqueens/kinghenry2nd_a.htm" target="_blank">Henry II</a> ~ Eleanor Of Aquitaine ~ Philip II ~ Catherine de Medici<br /><br />
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Visiting the castle leaves a unique imprint on the mind - at least that's what we found. Its style and location as well as the colour and pattern of the stonework are like no other medieval castle we've ever seen before.The drawbridge at the entrance with its heavy chains makes you feel like you're walking back through time!<br /><br />Read more about <a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/french_castles/frenchcastles_intro.htm" target="_blank">medieval castles in France</a> on our main website.<br /></p>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-38769747927628736532012-06-10T12:22:00.003-07:002021-03-08T08:03:42.198-08:00Medieval Fireplace In The MoviesMedieval history is a theme featured in many movies. Medieval times were so colourful compared to life today and it's not surprising that when this is portrayed well, the movies that take a medieval theme prove very popular. Two such examples are "<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063227/" target="_blank">The Lion In Winter</a>" (1968 - about <a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/medievalkingsandqueens/kinghenry2nd_a.htm" target="_blank">Henry II</a> and Eleanor of Aquitaine) and "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112573/" target="_blank">Braveheart</a>" (1995 - about William Wallace), <br />
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We recently watched the movie "<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0151137/" target="_blank">Joan Of Arc</a>" (1999) directed by Luc Besson. Having read about the life of Joan of Arc and also read the reviews of the movie itself, we knew not to expect full historical accuracy but it was interesting to see how the director had tackled such a powerful medieval story, how he portrayed the battles, etc. <br />
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One particular scene caught my eye ... the setting was supposed to be the English court where Joan's activities in France were being discussed. Immediately I recognised the fireplace and the steps in front of it - it was a fireplace I had seen in real life, not on a studio set!<br />
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Where was the fireplace? Not in England! It was a medieval fireplace quite unique in its size and design - in the Ducal Palace in Poitiers, France. Here it is in a short video clip .... look out for it next time you watch the movie!<br />
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<br /></div>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-46369163061973721902012-05-25T12:05:00.000-07:002012-05-25T12:05:00.895-07:00Donjon Pons - From BelowOur last <a href="http://blog.medieval-castle.com/" target="_blank">medieval blog</a> post featured the magnificent donjon in Pons in the <a href="http://www.poitou-charentes-vendee.com/charentemaritime/charentemaritime_introduction.htm" target="_blank">Charente-Maritime</a>. We were able to show you the views from the very top of the donjon looking out for miles across the French countryside. <br />
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Today we are going back down to the bottom of the donjon and looking up. This video clip gives an idea of the size and scale of the tower. Imagine what it took to construct this back in medieval times - in 1187 in fact.<br />
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This particular donjon is now classed as one of France's historical monuments and is regarded as the best example of its type in SW France. The tower is 30m in height and its walls are between 2.5m and 4.4m thick.<br />
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Read about the magnificent <a href="http://blog.medieval-castle.com/2010/12/magnificient-medieval-donjon.html" target="_blank">donjon in Bazoges-en-Pareds</a>.<br /><br />Read more about medieval <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/architecture_design/medieval_castle_donjons.htm" target="_blank">donjons</a>.medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-23408309153175757592012-05-08T11:52:00.000-07:002012-05-08T11:52:00.154-07:00Medieval Donjon - Rooftop View<a href="http://www.medieval-castle.co.uk/" target="_blank">Medieval castles</a> had common architectural features and the <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/architecture_design/medieval_castle_donjons.htm" target="_blank">donjon</a> is perhaps one of the most notable. Introduced into Britain by the Normans, the donjon became known in England as the <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/architecture_design/medieval_castle_keeps.htm" target="_blank">castle keep</a>. <br />
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Medieval history enthusiasts today can enjoy visiting many castle keeps whch have been lovingly restored and preserved. Some are just a shell and a shadow of their former medieval glory but others still have their staircases and interior rooms and floors intact. This type of donjon is always well worth a visit. <br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pons,_Charente-Maritime" target="_blank">Pons</a> is a small medieval town in SW France. It's a place most people have never heard of and yet it has a fabulous, preserved medieval donjon. Here is a video clip of the views from the very top of the donjon, sufficient to make you realise the degree of advantage such a high building brought to the town's people back in medieval times.<br />
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</div>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-75056594736003161392012-04-25T12:31:00.003-07:002021-03-08T08:07:44.045-08:00Medieval Palace In Poitiers<b>Medieval castles</b> of the greatest note usually have association with a great medieval ruler. One such example is <a href="https://blog.medieval-castle.com/2012/02/medieval-chinon-favourite-castle-of.html" target="_blank">Chinon Castle</a> in the Loire Valley where <a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/medievalkingsandqueens/kinghenry2nd_c.htm" target="_blank">King Henry II</a> Of England died. His wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, survived him and lived until she was 80 years old. Her story is a magnificently colourful one and she is perhaps amongst the greatest, if not the greatest, of medieval women. <br />
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We are blessed to have been able to visit numerous places associated with Eleanor, particularly in France. Chinon is one example as mentioned above. Another is the city of Poitiers where she was educated as a child. The Ducal Palace in Poitiers was a focal point for Eleanor as a child as it was her grandfather who made it the main family residence after becoming Count of Poitou (he was already Duke of Aquitaine). <br />
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Here is a video clip of the inside of what was once the Great Hall in the Ducal Palace, now part of the law courts in the city.<br />
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<br /></div>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-38147986685771640892012-04-10T12:20:00.000-07:002012-04-10T12:20:00.237-07:00Heresy, Lollards & Medieval TroubadoursHeresy is something that is rarely spoken about these days but in medieval times<b> </b>it was deemed a sin for which people were burned at the stake. Most of our <a href="http://blog.medieval-castle.com/" target="_blank">medieval blog</a> readers might have heard about the Cathar heresy and the brutal <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albigensian_crusade" target="_blank">Albigensian crusade</a> (AD1209-1229) which crushed it but 150 years later there was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heresy" target="_blank">heresy</a> which grew in England - it became known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lollards" target="_blank">Lollardism</a> and was started by John Wycliffe.<br /><br />Just as for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharism" target="_blank">Cathars</a>, John Wycliffe argued against the wealth and prosperity of the Holy Roman Church. At this time the Pope was based in Avignon and the payment of Papal taxation was seen as a tax to the French which at the time of the Hundred Years War meant that there was a lot of sympathy with the Lollards.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the support for Wycliffe began to falter. His primary sponsor, John of Gaunt, moved abroad as he pursued his claim to the Castillian throne. Then John Ball became one of the leaders of the peasants revolt in 1381 and he was also a supporter of Wycliffe. After this the ruling class started to see the heresy as a threat to their rule.<b><br /><br />What were the legacies of the Lollards?</b><br />
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1. They had a tremendous influence on later reforms.<br /></div>
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2. Wycliffe's bible translations between 1382 and 1395 started the movement to make the bible more readily available to the laiety.<br /><br />
3. Their ideas and beliefs were absorbed by the Protestants and coming after the reformation those who were baptists, puritans or quakers all carried a small part of this original heresy with them.<br /></div>
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This map shows the extent of the "heresy" in England<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iPpgkzaecjA/Ty_aSrUEgvI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/4bflubmSLPA/s1600/lollards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iPpgkzaecjA/Ty_aSrUEgvI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/4bflubmSLPA/s320/lollards.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lollardmap.jpg" target="_blank">Courtesy of Wikipedia</a></div>
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The art of medieval troubadours has close assocations with the Cathars - read more about <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medieval_castle_life/medieval_troubadours.htm" target="_blank">medieval troubadours</a> on our main website. <br /></div>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-45097823447235478932012-03-20T12:00:00.000-07:002012-03-20T12:00:07.131-07:00Empires: Medieval Venice & GoogleGreat excitement! Roger Crowley's new boo<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">k "City of Fortune, how Venice won and lost a naval empire" has just arrived. We had previously touched on the Venetian empire when talking about the <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/castle_attack_defence/medieval_crusades.htm" target="_blank">medieval crusades</a> as well as the <a href="http://blog.medieval-castle.com/2011/04/constantinople-last-great-medieval.html">siege of Constantinople</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">. These articles had really just mentioned the "serene republic" in passing. Now we hope to look at it in more detail.<br /><br />So why the reference to <a href="http://www.google.com/" target="_blank">Google</a> in this title of this post? Well, let us start by viewing the rise and fall of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice" target="_blank">Venice</a>. Venice was built on the wealth which came from the sea. In fact the bottom p</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">icture in this post, by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, shows Neptune surrendering the wealth of the seas to Venice. Trade and commerce was all they had. Venice itself, whilst beautiful, was just an Island in a lagoon. To quote Roger Crowley:<br /><br />"<i>The City's prosperity rested on nothing tangible - no land holdings, no natural resources, no agricultural production or large population. There was literally no solid ground underfoot.Physical survival depended on a fragile economic balance.Venice was perhaps the first virtual economy,whose vitality baffled outsiders. It harvested nothing...and lived in perpetual fear that if its trade routes were severed, the whole magnificent edifice might collapse</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">".</span></span><br />
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So what we had was an extremely wealthy empire which dominated the eastern Mediterranean. </div>
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Without a dynasty (it was ruled by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doge" target="_blank">doges</a>) there was less risk of the habitual problems from inheritance and royalty and who could have foreseen its demise? When the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople in 1453 the main trade route to the east was cut off. Traders started to pursue alternative trade routes and in 1493 Christopher Columbus arrived in North America.<br /><br />From this point on Venice started to become a side show and when Napoleon Bonaparte dealt the final blow to end the republic in 1797 all that remained was for Venice to quietly settle to a future as a tourist destination.</div>
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Now back to Google. These days the search engine seems omnipotent. It is part of everything which people do online and it becomes increasingly difficult to see a world without it.<br /><br />However, just as Venice did nothing "wrong" other than to eventually be in the wrong place to take advantage of the New World, so there will possibly come a time when a change in technology or historical direction will sideline the empire built by Google. We can't know what that change will be but it will come and the world will move forward.<br /><br />This is the flag of Venice<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ul_fD3qNwTk/Tm85NrO_ZWI/AAAAAAAAAE8/UTOd77-937c/s1600/venice%2Bflag.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651798964479944034" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ul_fD3qNwTk/Tm85NrO_ZWI/AAAAAAAAAE8/UTOd77-937c/s320/venice%2Bflag.png" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 160px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<br />Here is the front of Roger Crowley's book<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AZeRkkuIYaA/Tm85JdA7IPI/AAAAAAAAAE0/3Ic1qAhQiss/s1600/city%2Bof%2Bfortune.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651798891943370994" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AZeRkkuIYaA/Tm85JdA7IPI/AAAAAAAAAE0/3Ic1qAhQiss/s320/city%2Bof%2Bfortune.jpg" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
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The painting referred to at the start of this post<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N2S7buTFt5w/Tm85DaFx_lI/AAAAAAAAAEs/YDpdr3nSb1Y/s1600/venice%2Bpicture.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651798788079222354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N2S7buTFt5w/Tm85DaFx_lI/AAAAAAAAAEs/YDpdr3nSb1Y/s320/venice%2Bpicture.jpg" style="display: block; height: 142px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> <br />
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</div>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-7289211613646658042012-03-10T11:50:00.000-08:002012-03-10T11:50:00.420-08:00Norman Medieval Castles & Byzantium<div>
In terms of medieval history, most English school children traditionally learn about key <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medieval_timelines/medieval_battles_timeline.htm" target="_blank">medieval battles</a> and <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/kings_queens_england.htm" target="_blank">medieval kings</a>. At the top of the list is the Battle of Hastings, William The Conqueror and the Norman Conquest. The Normans came from Normandy in France so everyone assumes that they were French. However, the truth is somewhat different - and interesting!<br /><br />The Normans were in fact descended from the Vikings who invaded that northern part of France and assimilated into the local community. Indeed, their ancestral Viking blood and thirst for conquest of new territories meant that England was not the only country to suffer their invasion.<br /><br />The Normans were active right across the medieval world and in particular in Southern Italy, along the Dalmatian coast, fighting for and against the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire" target="_blank">Byzantine Empire</a>. As pilgrims made their way to and from the Holy Land there were resulting, seeminghly inevitable disputes into which stepped Norman mercenaries and the time they spent in this part of the world left its mark.<br /><br />Take a look at the picture below: a Norman <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/" target="_blank">medieval castle</a> with characteristic walls and strength but it is not a castle in France or England! This is an early Norman castle in Adrano, Southern Italy.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OHpXUz3aMLo/TnNV_o2-2xI/AAAAAAAAAFE/opTHY5-vKI4/s1600/1norman%2Bcastle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652956509068253970" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OHpXUz3aMLo/TnNV_o2-2xI/AAAAAAAAAFE/opTHY5-vKI4/s320/1norman%2Bcastle.jpg" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Image courtesy of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adrano_normanisches_Kastell.jpg">wikicommons</a>.</div>
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The key point here is that the medieval world was much more fluid and fragmented than we think. <br /><br />It is easy for us to be swayed by the headlines of history. The truth of all history, not just medieval history, is that there is always a lot more to it than at first meets the eye. </div>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-45712783502493451792012-02-25T15:44:00.003-08:002021-03-08T08:09:36.931-08:00Medieval Chinon - Favourite Castle Of Henry II<a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/">Medieval castles</a> come in all shapes and sizes; some are still in tact, others in ruins, some well known and some you've never heard of before. There are thousands of medieval castles around the world, each with its own story to tell.<br />
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One of the most fascinating and famous of all medieval castles has to be the fortress at Chinon in the Loire Valley, France.We were fortunate enough to visit Chinon last Spring and what an experience it was! The fortress occupies a fabulous location high up above the river Vienne, offering stunning views for many miles out across the French countryside and the ruins have been lovingly preserved, some even restored such as the Royal Quarters. <br />
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The history of the fortress at Chinon is incredibly colourful.There was a stronghold on the site as far back as AD 954 and many famous historical figures have been associated with the site over the centuries including:<br />
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<a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/medievalkingsandqueens/kinghenry2nd_a.htm" target="_blank">King Henry II of England</a><br />
Eleanor Of Aquitaine<br />
<a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/medievalkingsandqueens/kingrichard1st_a.htm" target="_blank">Richard The Lionheart</a><br />
Jacques du Molay (Knights Templar Grand Master)<br />
Charles VII (Dauphin Of France)<br />
Joan Of Arc<br />
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Henry II died at Chinon and was buried at nearby Fontevraud Abbey. When Henry's heir and successor Richard I (Richard The Lionheart) died in 1199 he too was buried at Fontevraud Abbey, at his father's feet by his own request. Just 5 years later, his mother Eleanor died and was buried alongside her son and husband. You can see all 3 tombs together at the Abbey.<br />
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<a href="http://youtu.be/FuVZgreNHGA" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPjwHE5V_lE/T0lv192My5I/AAAAAAAAAFY/uwJYZvGKSjw/s400/chinonvideo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>
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Our visits to Chinon and Fontevraud Abbey are amongst the most memorable we have ever made to a medieval site and we are delighted to share with you a high definition movie/slideshow which we have painstakingly put together from the photographs taken on our visits. Thanks go to <a href="https://www.stephencaudel.com/" target="_blank">Stephen Caudel</a> for provision of the music soundtrack. Here is our <a href="https://youtu.be/FuVZgreNHGA" target="_blank">Chinon video</a><br />
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We also have a detailed profile on the history of <a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/french_castles/chinoncastle.htm" target="_blank">Chinon castle</a> and large photo gallery now on our website.<br /></p>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-59591193000147342022012-02-15T15:06:00.002-08:002021-03-08T07:58:39.445-08:00Medieval Knights, Medieval Tournaments<div>
Medieval knights and <a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/medieval_castle_life/medieval_tournaments.htm">medieval tournaments</a> ... words that conjur up images of fantasy for most people but in fact it is possible to get a taste of what it was really like to see such a spectacle.<br />
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Throughout Europe during the summer months, there are many historic sites, usually <a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/">medieval castles</a>, which stage medieval pageants with men dressed as medieval knights taking part in jousting tournaments.<br />
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We were lucky enough to visit <a href="https://blog.medieval-castle.com/2010_10_01_archive.html">Tiffauges castle</a> in SW France, the home of the infamous Gilles de Rais, where today amongst the castle ruins they stage regular medieval themed events.<br />
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Here is a picture of a medieval knight on his horse with lance in hand (taken at the medieval event at Tiffauges). <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7lT8gjwfg8/TynFWq7OXBI/AAAAAAAAAFI/lzbIpS2VsXQ/s1600/medievalredknight.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7lT8gjwfg8/TynFWq7OXBI/AAAAAAAAAFI/lzbIpS2VsXQ/w400-h301/medievalredknight.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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More was to come .... replicas of medieval weapons and
siege engines were demonstrated including a trebuchet. More on that to
come! Wearing strong and durable war equipment during knights medieval
tournaments <span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">will ensure your victory. </span></div>
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medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-75657363728978221252012-02-07T15:30:00.002-08:002021-03-08T08:12:34.249-08:00Chalus Chabrol - Death Of A Medieval LegendMedieval history has many fans around the world. Perhaps that is because it covers such a diverse range of things - from medieval castles to medieval food, medieval worship to medieval weaponry, the list goes on. One of the most interesting aspects of medieval history, however, is to look at the lives of medieval rulers. <br />
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Two of the most significant medieval rulers were King Richard I of England (The Lionheart or Coeur de Lion) and Genghis Khan. <br />
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<a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/medievalkingsandqueens/kingrichard1st_a.htm" target="_blank">Richard The Lionheart</a> has been portrayed in many movies and invariably the truth and detail of his life is not portrayed as well as it could and should be. He was notable for many things, some good, some bad but one of the most noteworthy things about Richard was the almost ignominious way in which he died. Fearless in battle and cunning in military tactics, many tried to kill him in combat but failed. <br />
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No, it seems Richard was never meant to die in battle. He was felled by an arrow, fired not in combat but whilst relaxing and walking amongst his men. A lone archer was taking potshots at the English army camped outside the walls of Chalus Chabrol castle in the heart of the French countryside. The arrow struck Richard in the shoulder and gangrene set in. Twelve days later Richard died - 6 April 1199. We cover the <a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/medievalkingsandqueens/kingrichard1st_d.htm" target="_blank">death of Richard The Lionheart</a> in more detail on our main website.<br />
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Ch%C3%A2lus-Chabrol" target="_blank">Chalus Chabrol</a> is a quiet, almost sleepy plae and the castle is today but a shadow of its former self from Richard's time but there is a tower (keep) still intact. Here is a short video clip we made on our visit there.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NFDrpfw4mMs" width="480"></iframe> </div>
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<br /></div>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-49849805495214510472012-01-29T01:34:00.001-08:002021-03-08T08:15:36.929-08:00Medieval Siege Weapon In Action<p><b>Medieval siege weapons</b> are a fascinating subject! The trebuchet was used extensively in medieval warfare to bombard castles into submission, damaging and often destroying castle walls and keeps. We wrote previously about the wonderful replicas of a <a href="https://blog.medieval-castle.com/2011/09/medieval-weapons-trebuchet-at-tiffauges.html">medieval trebuchet</a> which were demonstrated at Tiffauges Castle in France.<br /><br />Now we can go one step better .... we can share a video clip of one of these medieval siege weapons actually being fired. It was not easy to follow the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trajectory" target="_blank">trajectory</a> of the missile after the trebuchet was fired as it travelled much further faster than anyone expected!</p><p>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-80qZSNmzQQ" width="480"></iframe> </div>
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Read more about <a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/castle_attack_defence/siege_engines.htm" target="_blank">medieval siege engines</a><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-52726608765656801832011-10-27T07:31:00.001-07:002021-03-08T08:21:17.578-08:00Haunted Medieval Castles - A Must Read For Halloween<p>Halloween is approaching and for anyone interested in medieval castles, it's a great time to take advantage of a variety of 'spooky' castle tours on offer. </p><p>A good example is that of Carlisle Castle in Cumbria where there are spooky tours and ghost stories on offer. An ideal opportunity for families to enjoy a little fun combined with medieval history. Carlisle Castle is a truly medieval castle and is reported to be very haunted, so it's a great attractions for visitors at this time of year. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gvGA_wsI-9Y/S-rLSEqJ1YI/AAAAAAAAAAc/vCdFQTp9NSMSlxaraNfAzy37Sc8DtCWQACPcBGAYYCw/s296/carlisle_portcullis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="296" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gvGA_wsI-9Y/S-rLSEqJ1YI/AAAAAAAAAAc/vCdFQTp9NSMSlxaraNfAzy37Sc8DtCWQACPcBGAYYCw/w400-h282/carlisle_portcullis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portcullis at the entrance to Carlisle Castle<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Read more about <a href="https://www.medieval-castle.com/haunted_castles_england/carlisle_castle.htm">haunted Carlisle Castle</a>.
Carlisle Castle is not far from Hadrian's Wall in fact so visitors to the castle often go on to see the Wall and, moving on from medieval history, they can indulge in a little Roman history.</p>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-67217623403648024542011-09-20T08:27:00.000-07:002011-09-20T08:27:00.107-07:00Medieval Weapons - Trebuchet At Tiffauges<a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/castle_attack_defence/siege_engines.htm">Medieval weapons </a>are fascinating to read about but we are lucky ... we've seen one in action! We were treated to a demonstration of a <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/castle_defences_weapons.htm">trebuchet</a> replica when visiting the castle of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilles_de_Rais">Gilles de Rais</a> at <a href="http://www.maplandia.com/france/pays-de-la-loire/maine-et-loire/cholet/tiffauges/">Tiffauges</a> in France.
<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644875656175385362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2tUVD841w7Q/TlaggF-VexI/AAAAAAAAAEc/_0Wr8IYV0nw/s320/trebuchet.jpg" border="0" /> It took a number of men several minutes to prepare it and and everyone watched with fascination. When the rope was freed to release the main mechanism there was instant applause at the impressive distance achieved with its shot.
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<br />Seeing something like this first hand gives you a better understanding of what it must have been like for those cowering behind <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/">medieval castle</a> walls in the face of an enemy armed with large siege weapons such as the trebuchet.
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<br />medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-84201667768224458862011-09-10T03:27:00.000-07:002011-09-10T03:27:00.171-07:00Medieval Golden Years: In 13th Century EuropeWhen <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medievalkingsandqueens/kingjohn_a.htm">King John</a>'s army was defeated at the <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medieval_timelines/battleofbouvines.htm">Battle of Bovines</a> in 1214 it is hard to imagine that anyone could have predicted the years of peace and plenty which lay ahead. It would be 82 years before <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medievalkingsandqueens/kingedward1st_a.htm">Edward I</a> stormed the ramparts at Berwick-upon-Tweed and massacred the populace. These years proved to be the last decades of the medieval warm period and the famines of the early 14th century were still to come.<br /><div><br />In some ways these years were akin to the peace which came to Europe during the 19th century. However, the major difference in the two periods was in the development of science. Think of the Victorian scientists with their advances in medicine and how in physics they laid the foundation for electricity, telecommunications and the wonders of the 20th century.<br /><br />From the 13th century we had progress in optics and eyeglasses and mechanical clocks. A poor return indeed for so many years of peace. So did the church play a role in this? This was the century before the Black Death and people optimistically looked forward to the second coming of Christ. With such a belief how could people be introspective and critically examine their world?</div><div><br /></div><div>It is probably the right point to quote directly from Norman Cantor's "In the wake of the Plague":</div><div><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic;">"The Latin Christendom of the 13th C was an immensely creative but amazingly one-sided culture.It fatally did not apply its resources to scientific research,whether physics or biology.It had some knowledge of chemistry but wasted it on alchemy,trying to turn base metals into gold.It had little knowledge of astronomy but wasted it on a rage for astrology and fortune telling"<br /><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic;">"Europe was weakest in the biomedical areas.Except for a few eccentrics like Roger Bacon,the Oxford Franciscan,it was an arrogant,heedless culture that could build a magnificent church and develop a new legal system as well as any culture.But it had no understanding of disease, neither its nature or cure, and was extremely vulnerable to epidemics"</div><div><br /></div><div>The only defence against a plague was essentially:</div><div><br /></div><div>Pray very hard</div><div>Quarantine the sick</div><div>Find a scapegoat</div><div><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic;">"The rarest attribute in any society and culture,when things are going well, and peace and prosperity reign, bellies are full of good food and the sun shines is to notice the cracks"</div><div><br /></div><div>There weren't many pessimists back in these golden days but one man who stood up and said it isn't working was Joachim of Fiore. He claimed that the world was entering an era of darkness and terror.</div><div><br /></div><div>This image from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gioacchinodafiore.jpg">wiki commons </a> is a fresco from 1573 of Joachim of Fiore.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ukphd_py9E/Ti1IMzgZ2oI/AAAAAAAAAEU/UfhWJIln_fg/s1600/joachim.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ukphd_py9E/Ti1IMzgZ2oI/AAAAAAAAAEU/UfhWJIln_fg/s320/joachim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633238093732108930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As the Golden years came to an end, Europe was was basically in a classic Malthusian situtation. 600 years before the gloomy prognosis was penned, it was all around and no one realised the problems. We may welll return to these ideas later and examine these critical years as the good days turned sour!<br /><br /></div>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-7476768646499599722011-08-07T09:03:00.000-07:002011-08-07T09:03:00.288-07:00Celebrity Weddings In Medieval CastlesCastles present a wonderful location for events and many people choose to host their wedding celebration in a castle. Some castles even have licences for people to actually have their marriage ceremony within the castle walls!<br /><br />It's not surprising then to learn that many celebrities have taken this route and found themselves a romantic castle as their wedding venue.<br /><br />Here are a few examples:<br /><br /><strong>Odescalchi Castle, Bracciano, Italy</strong> - 15th century castle with a fascinating array of frescos plus its own museum displaying weapons, paintings, books and manuscripts.<br />Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes chose this as their wedding venue in 2006.<br /><br /><strong>Ashford Castle Hotel, Ireland </strong>- A castle turned hotel<br />Pierce Brosnan & Keely Shaye Smith chose this as their wedding venue in 2001.<br /><br /><strong>Sudeley Castle, England</strong><br />Elizabeth Hurley & Arun Nayar selected this for their wedding in 2007.<br /><br /><strong>Villa Durazzo, Italy</strong> - 17th century castle located on a hill<br />Rod Stewart & Penny Lancaster married here in 2007.<br /><br /><strong>Skibo Castle, Scotland</strong><br />Madonna & Guy Ritchie chose this ancient castle for their wedding in 2000.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">More about </span><a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/haunted_castles_scotland/skibo_castle.htm"><span style="font-size:85%;">Skibo Castle</span></a><br /><br />Read more about <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/castleweddings/weddingvenues.htm">castle wedding venues</a>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-70289635939059185082011-07-30T04:04:00.000-07:002011-07-30T04:04:00.772-07:00Medieval Tulips, Turks & TerrorTalking about tulips on a medieval blog? Well, yes! Although tulips did not appear in the general <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medieval_garden.htm">medieval garden</a> in Europe, the flower actually became part of the fabric of the later/post medieval period in history.<br /><br />Tulips are believed to have originated in the high mountains of central asia such as the Pamirs, brought west by the soldiers and traders of the Ottoman empire. According to reference sources, the rules of Islam prohibited any worship of physical forms and tulips were regarded as a possible way around this. Initially, they were woven into undergarments but later started to be seen on armour and clothing. To the Ottomans the tulip became a symbol of nobility and privilege. Indeed the years between 1718 and 1730 were known as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_period">Tulip period</a>.<br /><br />It was from the Ottoman court at Istanbul (previously Constantinople) that the first bulbs came into western Europe. We are talking about the end of the 16th century when recreational gardens were rare or virtually unknown. Tulips are susceptible to a virus called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_breaking_virus">mosaic virus</a> and this is said to break the plant which changes from being a breeder to being a cultivar. It was the virus which weakened the plant and produced the exquisite colours which became so sought after during the financial bubble which developed in the Netherlands.<br /><br />One of the earliest and greatest botanists, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolus_Clusius">Carolus Clusius</a>, was instrumental in spreading the knowledge about tulips. A lot of his work was done at the University of Leiden. This is the same town which played such a key role in holding off the Spanish forces during the 80 Years War.<br /><br /><div>To go back to the title of this blog the reference to "terror" is to remind us of the fear and distrust shown towards the Ottomans. Europeans did not understand them and the Turks were greatly feared after the Seige of Constantinople in 1453.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632564911082660930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 206px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6vqViGME6M/Tirj8atpZEI/AAAAAAAAAEM/RF9UbVSup3Y/s320/tulip.jpg" border="0" />Here a picture of the most prized of all <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Semper_Augustus_Tulip_17th_century.jpg">Dutch Tulips</a>.<br /></div>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-56162376570445423622011-07-23T01:40:00.000-07:002011-07-23T08:00:21.128-07:00Benefits Of The Black Death, A Medieval CatastropheWhen the <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medieval_castle_life/medieval_times_black_death.htm">Black Death</a> started to sweep across medieval Europe in 1347 it seemed as if the whole structure of the world was collapsing. The mortality rates were horrific and there was no ready explanation as to what caused this plague. When you then add in the confusion and superstition common to these years you can start to get a feel for the panic and confusion which must have covered the land.<br /><br />However, albeit hard to believe, there were benefits and the plague introduced or increased the speed of social changes across Europe. Let's look at some of the changes ,,,<br /><br />1. From these years came the glory of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance">Renaissance</a>. Starting in Florence and often associated with the works of Dante it represented a flowering of art which was the perfect opposite from the great death.<br /><br />2. With so many people dead labour became scarce and this helped to bring an end to serfdom. Simple facts like the shift from earthenware cooking pots to ones made of metal are a reflection in the growing wealth which came to the working class.<br /><br />3. The role of women in medieval society became more important. In particular they became vital for the beer and brewing industries.<br /><br />4. The impact on the church and <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medieval_castle_life/medieval_worship.htm">medieval worship</a> was substantial. At one level it could be seen in the lowering of the age when a man could become a priest. It created plenty of opportunity for young priests with new ideas to flourish but it had another and largely unexpected impact. That was the "privatisation of the church". Basically wealthy people started to build their own churches and private chapels.<br /><br />5. There was a growth in activism and religion. Heresies such as that preached by the <a href="http://www.exlibris.org/nonconform/engdis/lollards.html">Lollards</a> started to spread and this was also fuelled by the start of early European Universities.<br /><br />6. The Hundred Years War between England and France was curtailed when the English Plantagenets, so dependent upon their infantry, found that 40% or so of the fighting men in the population were dead. <span style="font-size:85%;">Read more about </span><a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medievalkingsandqueens/kingedward3rd_a.htm"><span style="font-size:85%;">King Edward III</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> one of the last Plantaganet kings.<br /><br /></span>So in conclusion we can indeed look back on the horror of the plague years but we must also remember that it instigated many changes for the better in society and heralded the start of the Renaissance.medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-5507492189982787232011-06-03T01:59:00.000-07:002011-06-03T09:47:32.024-07:00Richard The Lionheart's Castle: Chateau GaillardIt was a rainy, misty day when we arrived in the village of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Andelys">Les Andelys</a> in Normandy. However, we didn't allow the weather to dampen our enthusiasm for a visit to the imposing landmark sitting 90 metres up on the hill above: <strong>Chateau Gaillard</strong>.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614035114583179474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRi7P-3MGDw/TekPMTlMwNI/AAAAAAAAAEE/qRAXu8RjF40/s320/medievalchateaugaillard_400.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><div>Today there are just ruins so the castle is but a shadow of its former self - a once glorious and incredible piece of medieval architecture, brought to life by none other than <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medievalkingsandqueens/kingrichard1st_a.htm">King Richard 1st</a>. Having done some reading on the subject, we understand that it was Richard's experiences whilst on crusade that inspired the building of Chateau Gaillard. He had seen some mighty walled defences and noted their architectural style which helped afford more defence.<br /><br />Construction of the castle began in 1196 and, when complete just two years later - an incredible feat for such a build - it was arguably the most formidable castle in all of medieval Europe. It was also one of the first castles in Europe to ever use machiolations.<br /><br />It's glory under its patron King Richard, however, was to be short-lived for only a few years after his untimely death in 1199 AD, the castle was captured by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_II_of_France">King Philippe II of France</a>. As mentioned in our dedicated page on <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/castle_attack_defence.htm">castle defence and attack</a> Chateau Gaillard was ironically breached through no more than an unguarded chapel window.<br /><br />We will revisit the subject of Chateau Gaillard again in our <a href="http://blog.medieval-castle.com/">Medieval Castle Blog</a> and share more of our photographs. In the meantime, you can read more on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_Gaillard">Wiki page on Chateau Gailard</a><br /><br />The French themselves have a great passion for their castles or <a href="http://www.montjoye.net/">Châteaux de France</a> as they call them. Although the text is in French, there are some great photographs on the following <a href="http://www.montjoye.net/chateau_gaillard_les_andelys">Chateau Gaillard</a> page.<br /></div>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-59061661338179947762011-05-30T03:03:00.000-07:002011-06-02T08:59:33.665-07:00The Birth of MoneyDuring the 12th century in England money gradually came into use. It replaced the system of barter or payment in kind which had been prevalent up to that point. The only currency in circulation at the time was the silver penny.<br /><br />These days everyone takes the presence of money for granted and whilst a small number of people will sometimes wonder what is was like before money arrived, even fewer will start to think about the birth of money and what it meant.<br /><br />We know that the Romans used coins as a central part of their economy but once they left Britain around 400 AD the use of coins declined and barter once again came to the fore.<br /><br />It was back in 1168 when silver ore was discovered at Christiansdorf (modern day <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=Freiburg&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x47911b26560bd665:0x41f6bb7a5df57b0,Freiburg+im+Breisgau,+Germany&gl=uk&ei=H7PnTe2KFNKwhQflwf3JCg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CDQQ8gEwAA">Freiburg</a>) and this sparked the silver equivalent of a gold rush. The silver coins started to spread across Europe and these are some of the changes it brought with it:<br /><br />1. Wealthy families could now move into the cities as they could collect rent as coins whilst previously this would have been "paid" as goods or services.<br /><br />2. Armies could be funded with money. Previously they were motivated by feudal obligations.<br /><br />3. Poor serfs could, in theory, buy their way out of bondage for the first time.<br /><br />4. Those who relied upon generosity and charity such as monks, wandering scholars and <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medieval_castle_life/medieval_troubadours.htm">troubadours</a> suddenly found themselves in competition with people who could pay for their lodgings for the first time. Offering service in return for a bed was no longer good enough!<br /><br />5. Cities and towns started to develop their independence. Witness the old German proverb "Stadt luft macht frei" or "town air makes free".The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanseatic_League">Hanseatic League</a> was founded in 1159.<br /><br />6. The ability to live in growing cities and to pay for your upkeep helped lay the foundation for the first Universities in Paris, Oxford and Bologna.<br /><br />7. Holidays were introduced. Under the feudal system there was no spare time. You owed work hours to your liege lord. With money this changed.<br /><br />8. The great <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medieval_castle_life/medieval_worship.htm">medieval cathedrals</a> and bridges were paid for in currency.<br /><br />9. Without coins how could the crusaders have paid their way across Europe en route to the Holy land.<br /><br />10. All this helped to fuel the golden age of the 12th century.<br /><br />Lets also look at some of the economic issues here ...<br /><br />1. An early tradition was to replace the coins every 3 or 4 years. Typically the number you handed in was always more than you got back. So this encouraged people to spend and not hoard their money.<br /><br />2.Imagine the world of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_of_the_12th_century">12th century renaissance</a>, with its wealth and growing prosperity.<br />Into this world came <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medievalkingsandqueens/kingrichard1st_a.htm">Richard 1st.</a> A lot of what he achieved or was involved in was impossible without coins. Coins paid for the 3rd crusade and when he was captured the ransom was paid with coins. It has also been postulated that the collection of the ransom money effectively took money away from Britain and prevented the rapid inflation which should have accompanied the economic growth of those years.<br /><br />In conclusion let us quote T S Elliot ...<br /><br /><em>"Between the idea and the action falls the shadow"</em><br /><br />Here the shadow is the birth of money taking us from the old world into the full glory of 14th century renaissance.medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-2396450305527509682011-05-20T00:41:00.000-07:002011-05-20T00:41:00.052-07:00Medieval Architecture - Medieval CastlesMedieval castles seem to fascinate people regardless of their age, from children to adults. If you visit a medieval castle this is plain to see when you look at other visitors around you. So what is it that makes medieval castles so appealing?<br /><br />There is more than one answer of course because it depends upon the castle in question. For example:<br /><ul><li>it might be a castle reputed to be haunted;<br /></li><li>it might be a castle where some famous siege or battle took place;<br /></li><li>it might be a castle where someone particularly famous lived or died; </li><li>it might be a castle renowned for its architecture;</li></ul>One thing we enjoy when we visit a medieval castle - whether it is still intact or just ruins - is that it is tangible history. You can walk up to the castle walls, touch them and think of the many centuries that have passed since the day the mortar was set between the stones.<br /><br />View a short video clip we made of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Eleanor13thC#p/u/6/SqyRFotr4AE">medieval castle stonework</a> close up and just feel the history!<br /><br />Read more about <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/architecture_design.htm">medieval castle architecture</a>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-21672445096521807182011-05-10T04:17:00.000-07:002011-05-10T04:17:00.090-07:00King Richard I - A Medieval King's GambleWe are always interested to read good books on medieval history with <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/">medieval castles</a> and <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/kings_queens_england.htm">medieval kings and queens</a> being our preferred subjects.<br /><br />David Boyle's book, Blondel's Song tells the story of <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medievalkingsandqueens/kingrichard1st_a.htm">King Richard 1st</a>, his part in the 3rd Crusade and his subsequent capture and ransom. There are many interesting angles to this story but throughout the telling one thing stands out. Richard led from the front and took risks beyond those expected of a king. Whether it was storming ashore at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus">Cyprus</a> or desperately seeking a way home during the winter of 1192 there were many points where the history of this extraordinary man and to some extent the future of England could have taken a completely different turn.<br /><br />A gambling man might well have advised Richard that taking risk after risk was no way to run a kingdom. He only had to lose once and the results would be dire. This happened with his capture and ransom and then, as if he had not learned anything, again at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Ch%C3%A2lus-Chabrol">Chalus-Chabrol</a> where he was wounded and subsequently died whilst attacking a relatively insignificant <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/">medieval castle</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/northumberland/5404392454/" title="DSC_5832 by Northumbria Byways, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5404392454_302d289d69.jpg" alt="DSC_5832" width="332" height="500" /></a>medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317373405877309018.post-86751645155246967882011-04-25T10:17:00.000-07:002011-04-25T10:17:00.247-07:00Medieval Universities<span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_Education#Medieval_education">Education in medieval times</a> is a fascinating subject and today we take a look at medieval universities. According to research we've done, some of the key issues, questions and answers are as follows ...</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />The medieval university</span><br />There are over 150 Universities in the UK today but 800 years ago there were only 2 - Oxford and Cambridge. The following brief list of questions and answers will help to explain a little about education in the medieval period.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did universities come about?</span><br />The earliest universities were not in England but in Bologna (1088) and Paris (1160). Oxford University came about in 1167. Universitas, in Latin, is a term for the totality of something. So for instance it could be a university of carpenters; the term was apparently not exclusive to learning institutions.<br /><br />By binding the teachers together the standards could be uniform. If you then recall that Latin was virtually a universal language for academics then you can see how mobility between universities became possible and this in turn encouraged their rapid growth.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What was there before universities?</span><br />There were four main routes to learning ...<br /><br />1.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> The Courts - </span>writing reading and poetry.<br />2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cathedrals</span> - very important, you needed people to run them.<br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Monasteries - c</span>hildren joined at an early age and in such numbers that education was almost by default.<br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">A form of apprenticeship</span> - lawyers, doctors etc; similar to a pupilage.<br /><br />All these shared a commitment to a curriculum dating back to Greek and Roman times which was known as the system of liberal arts. This system could be broken down into seven sections:<br /><br />1. Trivium - the three subjects were grammar, rhetoric and logic.<br />2. Quadrivium - the four ways or the four roads consisted of arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy.<br /><br />However, just in case you think that the influence of the Romano Greek world was total it is also important to record the growth in learning within the muslim world. This applies especially to areas such as the translation of new works and algebra.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why did universities come into being?</span><br />There appears to be no definite answer but here are some ideas:<br /><br />1. Conflict between secular and religious authorities.<br /><br />2. Increased availability of minted money permitted freedom of movement and the pupils could now go where they wanted.<br /><br />3. Increased debate between scholars about what education should be.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What were the differences between a medieval university and a modern day one?</span><br />In the early 12th century if you wanted an academic career then this could be to the detriment of your teacher - you might try and steal his students. However, this changed so that going forward you were in competition with your fellow students. The power to bestow a degree was used to control the students.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Which is the oldest university?</span><br />Bologna is cited as the oldest university in the world. One should remember that Italy, at this time, was made up of City States as opposed to an Italian nation. In the 11th century the growth in civil law created a real pressure to teach large numbers of pupils. By the early 12th century both canon and civil law were placed on an equal footing and this created more demand for university places.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lasting the course</span><br />There was a great demand for skilled people as secretaries, copiers, lawyers and so on and this meant that often students would leave part way through and as soon as they had acquired the necessary skills for the workplace.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Were the medieval universities truly international?</span><br />We think most definitely. With the freedom to chose and change came true international education. This was particularly strong in Paris where there was more than one place where you could learn. However, please note that in 1167 King Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Development of colleges<br /></span>Endowments and a desire to support the students outside their academic studies gave rise to colleges.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">At what age did people go to university in medieval times?</span><br />It is believed to have been at about 14 or 15 years of age. There was no specific entrance requirement or test. You had to be interviewed and a student would need the funds to pay for his tuition. It was only ever men, there were no women admitted to medieval universities. It was not until 1869 that Girton College in Cambridge was founded to cater specifically for women students.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Were the terms the same?</span><br />Yes, three terms and long vacations.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who paid for the students?</span><br />Mostly it was family money. However the Church also contributed. For instance a Priest was allowed to pay for a substitute whilst he went to university. There were also scholarships from an early day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How were the students controlled?</span><br />The Chancellor of the university ran a virtually autonomous church court. So for instance if there was a dispute with a local trader then the case would be heard within the university law. The punishments were generally lax and this was a tremendous priviledge for students.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What role did the towns play?</span><br />From the mid 13th century Italian towns ran their universities.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How quickly did the idea of universities spread?</span><br />Very quickly. The universality of the curriculum made it easy to scale.<br />Padua was founded in 1222 and Cambridge in 1209.<br /><br />Interested in the arts from the medieval period? Read more about <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medieval_castle_life/medieval_poetry.htm">medieval poetry</a>, <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medieval_castle_life/medieval_music.htm">medieval music</a> and <a href="http://www.medieval-castle.com/medieval_castle_life/medieval_literature.htm">medieval literature</a>.medieval-castle.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580940503000138254noreply@blogger.com