Tag: Roman Catholicism

A photo of the Tour Charlemagne - Tours, France

Charlemagne and St Martin

With an empire so vast it redefined Europe, Charlemagne found his heart anchored to a humble soldier who lived four centuries earlier. This is the little-known story of the visionary emperor and his profound connection to Saint Martin of Tours.
A photo of the colonnaded street - Apamea, Syria

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? 
A portrait of Pope Sylvester II

The Phantom Time Hypothesis

There are dark corners of the internet where I've found mentions of "The Phantom Time Hypothesis". This suggests that the years between 614 AD and 911 AD didn't exist. But how can that be? How can human history have misplaced 300 years of history?
A photo of the landscape behind the Abbey - Bourgeuil, France

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.
A photo of Ħal-Għargħur parish church

The independence of Ħal-Għargħur

In the 16th century, the rural village of Ħal-Għargħur became an independent parish for 3 brief years. It’s unusual that someone thought it should be independent and changed their mind a few years later. This article explains the village politics behind the situation, and how Ħal-Għargħur became a parish.
A photo of the facade of the church of St James - Valletta, Malta

St James’ Church, Valletta

St James' Church on Valletta's bustling Merchants' street never attracted my eye the same way the other churches in the city do. When I found out my ancestors married there so I thought I'd take a closer look at this historical building.
A photo of the organ and choir at St Clementine's - Prague, Czechia

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.
A photo of the modern stained-glass windows in Saint-Jean de Montierneuf - Poitiers, France

A church for a cousin

In the 11th century the Duke of Aquitaine built an abbey in exchange for permission to marry a relative of his. It sounds like the ultimate form of privilege but is this fair, and what is the real story behind William's motives? This article explains the context behind this transaction and what the abbey looks like today.
A photo of the Macchi C.200

The bombing of RAF Kalafrana

On 9 May 1942, at the tail end of the Siege of Malta, an unexpected switch in Axis tactics led to loss of life at one of Malta's airfields. This article describes the situation at that point, and the details of the men who lost their lives that day.