Why Bohemond III gave Apamea away
In 1168, Bohemond III of Antioch handed the frontier district of Apamea to the Knights of St John. A prince doesn't do this unless he needs something bigger; so what was he getting out of the deal?
The lost church of St Philip and St Jacob
In the city of a hundred spires, it's hard to imagine that there were more belfries, towers and churches than there are today. The church of St Philip and St Jacob in Prague's Smichov district is one of the churches that no longer exists.
The Fruttuaria Abbey
A King Died Here. Then the Church Buried It. Then a Plumber Found It Again. The Abbazia di Fruttuaria has been a monastery, a political pawn, a makeover project, and a school. What lies beneath the floor is one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in northern Italy — and almost nobody knows about it.
Andorra
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 that, we've a strategic masterstroke born of military need and religious pragmatism.
A Medieval Marriage That Never Was
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 as much as her husband.
This article is about Cypriot Alice of Ibelin, her bethrotal and marriage.
The Abbey of Bourgueil
In 990, Emma of Blois leveraged her dowry and family alliances to found an abbey in Bourgueil, France. The abbey grew into a regional powerhouse over the next 500 years influencing daily life.
St Clements in Pořiči
Near Prague's city centre, but not quite close enough, St Clement's church is possibly one of the oldest religious structures in the city. It is more than 1000 years' old.
The lost Judith bridge
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 the myths and mythology about the Judith bridge.
The lost anti-Viking defence system
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 to last?
From a Duchy to a Kingdom
In the 12th century, Otakar I was the Duke of Bohemia. Through wily politics, he elevated his duchy to a kingdom, forever enhancing Bohemia in the process.
This article explains the political situation at the time and how Otakar pulled this off.