Sat, May 24, 2014
The decline of the Roman Empire left a power vacuum in Europe that lead to the formation of empires one of which was the Viking realm in Scandanavia. Circa 700 A. D. a period of Viking expansion into the rest of Europe began. The reason for the expansion lies at the heart of Viking mythology.
Sun, May 25, 2014
Jon Hus followed in the footsteps of John Wickliffe objecting to various principles of the Catholic Church. A the Church attempted to reign him in is popularity grew as did the animosity of Bohemia with the German controlled Holy Roman Empire.
Sat, Jun 28, 2014
The plague appeared for hundreds of years before and after the worst pandemic in Europe from 1347 to 1351 know as the Black Death. The calamity is attributed to the population increase during the Medieval Climate Otimum that stretched farm technology and food production to the maximum followed by the Little Ice Age which lead to food shortages and thus famine, weaken immune systems and malnutrition.
Tue, Jul 1, 2014
The Hundred Years War was a series of military conflicts in the three century feud between England and France that finally ended the King of England's claim to the throne of France. Initially England was very successful in annexing regions of France until Joan of Arc rallied the French to ultimately drive them out.
Sat, Mar 28, 2015
In popular culture the Magna Carta and the events leading up to it are badly misrepresented, much of the mythology being a recent construction. Let's set the record straight and understand the Magna Carta true impact in its historical context.
Sat, Apr 4, 2015
Due to the Great Schism the Eastern Orthodox Church generally is little noticed in the West particularly in the New World. But it represents a substantial portion of Christianity. The Christian world was so large and diverse before the Schism that East and West where fairly independent of each other. But the desire of the West for absolute independence eventually lead to a complete break.
Sun, Oct 2, 2016
On the surface a Catholic Indulgences seems to be buying salvation - bypassing purgatory. The intended purpose is rather subtle. It is a cash payment typically but for someone who truly isn't capable or completing his penance for his sins. But there is certainly potential for abuse by both priest and layperson.
Sun, Oct 9, 2016
The theological implications of the Ascension of Jesus.
Tue, Nov 1, 2016
In 1415 the Christian reform Jan Hus was burned alive as executing for heresy. One hundred years later Martin Luther begins the Reformation stating "I am a Hussite." Out of this came the myth that Jan Hus predicted the coming of Matin Luther.
Mon, Dec 19, 2016
Our current practices for celebrating Christmas began in the middle of the nineteenth century. It changed from a social community event to a private family event with Christmas trees, gift giving, and, of course, Santa Claus. Other traditions such as personal versus family Bibles and become engaged in the Christmas season also emerged.
Tue, Apr 18, 2017
The Borgia's are known today for everything that was wrong with the Cathlolic Church around the time of the Renaissance and Reformation. Do they deserve their infamous reputation or are they historical scapegoats? Here are the facts historians have been able to verify.
Tue, Aug 21, 2018
Written by Protestants, the English Bible accepted by Catholic Henry VIII was the result of a convoluted history of English translations. Ultimately Henry accepted it as a way of establishing his religious authority having publicly rejected the papacy years earlier. It satisfied the Protestant by placing the Bible in the hands of commoners.