Interrogation techniques have evolved over hundreds of years. Sometimes these methods can be as simple as bright lights or changing the temperature in a room. But sometimes the tactics are more aggressive or violent. These kinds of methods border on forms of torture. This was the predominant technique for convincing someone to do something they […]
Thumbscrews: Tightening the Thumbs to Loosen the Lips Read More »
Seen as a key villain in Norse mythology, the Jörmungandr was a large sea serpent resembling a worm. The Jörmungandr, also known in history as the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent, was the arch nemesis of Thor, the god of thunder. The Birth of the Jörmungandr The universe of Norse mythology had nine realms. These
Jörmungandr, the world serpent who killed Thor at Ragnarok Read More »
The Excalibur is a mythical sword. It is associated with King Arthur and his compilation of medieval stories. The legendary Excalibur was believed to hold ultimate power to its rightful master, but plague anyone else who attempted to use it. The Arthurian Legend To introduce the famous Excalibur we must first recognize the series of
Excalibur: The Legendary Sword of King Arthur Read More »
In the world of medieval Europe, there were many kingdoms that rose and fell, shaping the course of history both in their existence and in their destruction. In this time of kings and queens, some figures rose above the rest. One such figure is Clovis I, a king of France who is regarded as the
Clovis I: The king who united the Franks Read More »
Uhtred of Bebbanburg is a significant figure from the Anglo-Saxon period. After his death, a blood feud began which lasted for generations. Uhtred ruled Bamburgh as the ealdorman (a chief officer of a district during Anglo-Saxon England) of Northumbria from 1006 to 1016. But is he a real hero like the television series The Last
The Story of the Historical and Fictional Uhtred of Bebbanburg Read More »
At first glance, the so-called Spanish Donkey may not seem menacing. But take a closer look. It was shaped like a pommel horse in gymnastics, but with a pointed triangular edge facing upwards. This device’s shape ensured that its victims received a gruesomely agonizing experience. Used first in Medieval Europe, particularly during the Spanish Inquisition,
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It’s immediately clear from even a brief reading of history that humans have long had a knack for devising methods of torture and execution. Imagine a world where the fate of criminals extended far beyond the gallows. Where the condemned found themselves trapped in a metal cage, hanging in chains for all to see. This
Gibbeting: A History of a Gruesome Form of Public Execution Read More »
Rollo was a Viking leader who settled Normandy. He set the stage for the merging of Viking and Frankish cultures. As the great-great-great-grandfather of William the Conqueror, Rollo’s legacy includes far more than raiding and pillaging. He established a royal bloodline that, centuries later, would create a bitter rivalry between Britain and France that would
Rollo: The Viking Leader Who Became the Duke of Normandy Read More »
The Spanish fleet was a symbol of power, wealth, and prestige. It was the foremost symbol of the greatest superpower the world had ever seen – the Spanish Empire. For centuries, the Spanish treasure fleet, with its flotas and galeones, transported European goods to its colonies and returned with vast quantities of gold and silver.
The Flotas and Galeones: Bringing the Riches of the New World to Spain Read More »
Long before the European Union, there was the Kalmar Union. It was a grand experiment in middle-age Scandinavian diplomacy. For over a century, three kingdoms – Denmark, Norway, and Sweden – were united under the same king, bound together by promises of peace and prosperity. It was an era of both great potential and great
The Kalmar Union: A Brief History of a United Scandinavia Read More »
