Ice age. The Templars. 25 million deaths in Europe alone.
It was a brutal time and it’s hard to recognise today’s world in the stories from those days. What’s interesting to me is that we can see how the stuff we call history began at this point. The renaissance was about to start. France began to form as a single entity and have its own identity.
Follow the stories here to see what I’ve looked at that comes from, or is influenced by, the 14th century.
All my 14th Century articles
1300 – 1309
- A Medieval Marriage That Never Was January 2, 2026 - The idea that noble medieval families' marriages were all political is neither new nor surprising. It's rare to see situations where the wife-to-be is the one who ended up benefiting… Continue Reading
- Istanbul’s Galata Tower March 21, 2016 - Like any self-respecting city, Istanbul is not short of towering city blocks providing incredible views. One of the oldest towers is the Galata Tower which overlooks the Bosphorus straits. This tower… Continue Reading
1310 – 1319
- A Medieval Marriage That Never Was January 2, 2026 - The idea that noble medieval families' marriages were all political is neither new nor surprising. It's rare to see situations where the wife-to-be is the one who ended up benefiting… Continue Reading
- The lost Cathedral of St Sophia March 5, 2025 - In occupied Cyprus, across the demilitarised zone in Nicosia, the French gothic cathedral of St Sophia is now Selimiye mosque. The building was at the heart of Cypriot crusader history,… Continue Reading
1320 -1329
- A Medieval Marriage That Never Was January 2, 2026 - The idea that noble medieval families' marriages were all political is neither new nor surprising. It's rare to see situations where the wife-to-be is the one who ended up benefiting… Continue Reading
- The lost Cathedral of St Sophia March 5, 2025 - In occupied Cyprus, across the demilitarised zone in Nicosia, the French gothic cathedral of St Sophia is now Selimiye mosque. The building was at the heart of Cypriot crusader history,… Continue Reading
- The lost cathedral of St Nicholas December 2, 2022 - In Famagusta, Cyprus, there is a building that used to be a cathedral dedicated to St Nicholas. It saw major events of the country's history and is now a mosque. Continue Reading
1330 – 1339
- The improvements to Bouzov castle May 11, 2020 - Many people marvel at European historical sites. Few realise that what we see today may be quite different from what was in use. People restored, rebuilt or enhanced many sites… Continue Reading
1340 – 1349
- The significance of the little bridge November 19, 2025 - Prague's Můstek neighborhood and metro station has a fascinating story behind it. This area represents a remarkable convergence of medieval history and modern urban development. What appears today as a… Continue Reading
- The lost Judith bridge January 24, 2025 - Prague's Charles bridge is the main attraction in this medieval city. Few have heard of its predecessor and fewer have heard about the stories behind it. This article delves into… Continue Reading
- The Lost Walls of Prague’s New Town October 15, 2018 - I've written about the walls of Prague's Old Town, which the city destroyed. It's unfortunate they removed such a historical feature. Once Prague had a New Town and external fortifications… Continue Reading
- The superstition behind Charles Bridge May 7, 2018 - Every visitor to Prague ends up on the Charles Bridge. There is a magnificent view of the castle and the city from there, so it isn't surprising the bridge is… Continue Reading
1350 – 1359
- The lost cathedral of St Nicholas December 2, 2022 - In Famagusta, Cyprus, there is a building that used to be a cathedral dedicated to St Nicholas. It saw major events of the country's history and is now a mosque. Continue Reading
- Frydberk castle November 18, 2019 - The criminals who built Frydberk ? castle terrorised the Bohemian countryside in mediaeval times. Conquered, plundered, turned into a ? brewery and then the Church built a place of worship… Continue Reading
- The superstition behind Charles Bridge May 7, 2018 - Every visitor to Prague ends up on the Charles Bridge. There is a magnificent view of the castle and the city from there, so it isn't surprising the bridge is… Continue Reading
1360 – 1369
- The Rotunda of the finding of the Holy Cross July 13, 2020 - Prague's early chapels and churches seem to all have been rotundas. At least, that's all we seem to have left. Close to the Vltava river, almost overshadowed by newer buildings,… Continue Reading
- The Black Sun in medieval Prague February 8, 2016 - Tourists stroll along Prague’s Celetna street, heading to or from the beautiful Old Town Square. Those who look up and marvel at the art on the buildings facades will wonder… Continue Reading
1370 – 1379
- The lost Cathedral of St Sophia March 5, 2025 - In occupied Cyprus, across the demilitarised zone in Nicosia, the French gothic cathedral of St Sophia is now Selimiye mosque. The building was at the heart of Cypriot crusader history,… Continue Reading
1380 – 1389
- The lost Royal Palace of Prague September 4, 2017 - Tourists mistake any old-looking structure as something which is ancient and "worthy of attention." Whether this is true or not, it's always worth looking into the detail of anything you… Continue Reading
1390 – 1399
- Andorra January 21, 2026 - Microstates are fascinating. There’s always a story behind them, and their continued existence in today’s world for that matter. Andorra, sandwiched between Spain and France, is one such microstate. For… Continue Reading
- The lost anti-Viking defence system August 28, 2024 - In the late 10th century, France faced with an economic crisis and an uneasy peace with the Vikings. Would the Vikings attack again? Or was their recent attempt at peace going… Continue Reading
- The Legend of St John’s 5 Stars November 2, 2015 - Uniquely amongst Catholic saints, the statue of the Bohemian St John of Nepomuk has 5 stars on its halo. Catholic tradition usually portrays the Virgin Mary with stars (and all… Continue Reading